Results released yesterday from the State Government’s auction of gaming machines revealed no new players have declared their hand for Sunraysia.

Unlike some metropolitan areas, the number of gaming machines will not increase with local gaming operators bidding only to consolidate their existing holdings.

The 285 gaming machines across the Mildura region – including Ouyen, Red Cliffs, Merbein and Mildura – is still well under the municipal “cap” of 390 gaming machines.

Of course there is a new proposal for a casino to be built at Mildura, which proponents say will incorporate at least 200 gaming machines.

The city’s two big clubs – Mildura Working Man’s and Mildura RSL – paid the highest price to keep their machines from 2012.

The RSL paid $47,913 apiece for 40 machines with their pre-auction offer and topped up to their current 45 with five more licences bought at auction for the minimum bid of $5500 each.

AFL club, Carlton Football Club, also did well with the minimum bid, snapping up 260 machines at $5500 apiece.

The Workers came away from the pre-auction with 40 licences at $54,727 each and a further 27 at auction for the minimum price.

For more of this story, purchase your copy of Saturday’s Sunraysia Daily 22/05/2010.