The place of poker machines in Australian life, including whether they help create jobs, is hotly contested.
Mr Costello's claim is not clear cut. A lack of current data makes it impossible to make a definitive statement about gaming income and jobs creation. Experts noted that some venues had used poker machine revenues to fund expansion in other areas of their business, such as dining services, which may have led to the creation of more jobs. But they also said that money which goes through the pokies depresses economic activity in other areas where that money might have been otherwise spent. This makes it hard to say where jobs are being lost or created.
Fact check: Does a million dollars spent on pokies only create three jobs?
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