The gambling licensing statistics on the last quarter of the 2005 show that the number of gambling operators, venues and machines in pubs and clubs were in decline, comparing to the previous quarter.
At the end of the year, there were 10 percent less licensed gambling operators, almost 6 percent less gambling venues and 4 percent less gaming machines than the former year.
Internal Affairs deputy secretary Andrew Secker is pleased with the figures and he said that it shows that the Gambling Act 2003 succeed in accomplishing one of its goals, which was to control the growth of gambling. He believes that the decline started after the act was passed in 2003.
The Gambling Act 2003 introduced a harsh licensing rule and lowered the numbers of machines allowed in venues.
