Pokie machine spending is on the rise according to new government figures, prompting gambling providers to call for better technology to combat harmful behaviour.
Internal Affairs' latest figures show proceeds from non-casino gaming machines went up $29.2 million, or 3.4 per cent in the year to September.
"The increase in spend is a signal to us that harm is not going away it is quite entrenched," Lynette Hutson of the Salvation Army said.
Paula Snowden from The Problem Gambling Foundation thinks investment in technology is the way forward.
"Pre-commitment in the machines, facial recognition, and we also need to be more rigorous about the density of these machines," she said.
The gaming industry disputes the numbers, saying total spend has not gone up, but has actually declined in inflation adjusted terms, from a peak in 2004 by 16 per cent or $426 million today.
Collaboration on solutions with all parties is likely to be sought from the new government as it swings into action.
SHARE ME