Its latest data shows that gamblers lost more money in clubs and hotels in Dubbo than in any other local government area (LGA) in the Central West.

Dubbo also has the most gambling machines in clubs (471) and hotels (241) in the region.

The data for clubs was for the period between December 1, 2017 and May 31, 2018 and the hotels data was for the six months between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2018.

Dubbo MP Troy Grant said most people gamble responsibly, but for a small segment of the population, gambling is a problem.

“The last gambling prevalence study in 2012 found 0.8 per cent of adults in NSW were problem gamblers. A new study will begin in coming months to update these findings,” he said

“This year, the NSW Government allocated $25 million for responsible gambling initiatives, including phone, online and face-to-face counselling services, including Dubbo.”

Lifeline Central West’s Barbara Bard said they had noticed a slight increase in the number of gamblers seeking counselling over the past 12 months.

“People across the age groups gamble,” said Ms Bard, who manages a team of six counsellors – two each in Dubbo, Bathurst and Orange. 

These counsellors also provide face-to-face counselling in Lithgow, Parkes and Mudgee on a pre-determined day.

Ms Bard said a new Lifeline Central West gambling awareness campaign would start next week.

Clubs and hotels in Orange made the second-most net profits from gambling in the Central West.  

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Data shows that Orange clubs made $8.1 million from 309 gambling machines installed at six premises, whereas the hotels made $3.8 million in net profit from 174 machines installed at 13 locations. 

Bathurst clubs, including those in Blayney (as grouped by the department), made $7.5 million in net profit from 310 gambling machines at eight premises.

Hotels, combined for Bathurst and Oberon, made $3.2 million from 159 machines at 20 places.

Lithgow clubs and hotels were the fourth-most profitable from gambling.

Clubs made about $4.4 million from 227 gambling machines at six premises, whereas hotels made a net profit of $1.2 million from 78 machines at 12 places.