The Age, Melbourne, Australia
Nick Toscano

Australian gambling losses have hit an all-time high after punters burned through nearly $24 billion in a year, more than half of which was poured into poker machines at pubs and clubs across the country.

New government statistics reveal pokies losses grew 4.2 per cent nationally, roughly double the rate of inflation to reach $12 billion in 2015-16, while sports betting remained the fastest-growing form of gambling.

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http://www.theage.com.au/business/australian-gamblers-lose-a-record-24b-in-a-year-20171201-gzwr30.html