Clubs and hotels in the Lithgow area made a net profit of around $32,029 per day in 2020.

From January to May 2020 Lithgow Clubs made $3,088,497 which was two million less than the back half of 2020 which saw clubs make $5,649,512.

The increase in gaming revenue throughout the year was not uncommon across regional areas of NSW a ClubsNSW spokesperson said.

"It should be noted that profits were only up 4.9 per cent during this period when compared to the same period in 2019. It is also worth noting that overall NSW retail sales also experienced a spike during this period," they said.

"Despite the post-COVID revenue increase, club gaming machine profits in Lithgow were down 15.1 per cent in the 12 months to November 2020."

Statistics show that people in the Lithgow LGA saved $2.5 million since poker machines were turned off for ten weeks from March 23 to June 1 due to COVID-19.

Lithgow hotels and pubs have decreased drastically around the area with many on Lithgow's Main Street closing down or being turned into other accommodation options.

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This could be seen in the statistics as they only raked in $891,577 at the start of 2020. This number is also combined with Oberon because both regions have less than five venues in the area.

In the latter half of the year they recovered, making over $2,061,259.

The number of poker machines in the Lithgow LGA dropped from 232 to 228 at the end of 2020.

150 of the region's machines are located at the Lithgow Workies Club. The Club is ranked 152nd in NSW for net profit per gaming machine.

"In spite of the challenging trading environment over the past 12 months, clubs in the Lithgow area have continued to support a range of worthy community organisations and causes through the ClubGRANTS scheme, donating more than $127,000 in 2020 alone," the spokesperson said.

The Lansdowne Hotel has 27 gaming machines, the highest number of machines in a Lithgow region hotel and is 484^th in NSW for net profit.

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