Spending from poker machines in the state of Victoria, in Australia rose by $43 million (US$32.33 million) in the past 12 months.

ABC News reported that Victorians spent almost $2.6 billion (US$1.95 billion) on poker machines, with gamblers from some of the state’s most disadvantaged areas pouring large amounts of money into the pokies.

Data from the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation showed that Dandenong, located on the southeast outskirts of Melbourne, were each gambling $100 million a year on poker machines.

Part of the reason for the increase of gamblers in Victoria was the proliferation of poker machines in pubs and clubs, which took control of the business after betting companies Tabcorp and Tatts Group were stripped of their long-running poker machine duopoly in 2012.