MACEDON Ranges punters spent $9.49 million on pokies in the year to June - the second-highest spending compared to neighbouring shires.
Residents in the Mitchell Shire spent much more on gaming - a total of $15.73 million.
The latest figures from the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) show that spending in the Macedon Ranges increased by just $4000 on the previous year.
There are 95 gaming machines in the Macedon Ranges at three venues, with each machine collecting, on average, $99,842. The average adult spending is close to $300, half the state average of $613.
Gamblers in the Hepburn Shire, which has 50 machines, spent $2.67 million, while punters in Mount Alexander (30 machines) spent $3.2 million.
Macedon Ranges Council chief executive Peter Johnston said the number of gaming machines in the shire had been much the same for many years.
"Expenditure has been fairly consistent in previous years, with the Macedon Ranges under half the state average.
"From council's point of view, gaming machines are allowed legally and people make their own choices."
There has been no new gaming venue or application for new machines put to the council in the past 12 months.
Chris Jacksen, counselling services manager for St Luke's Anglicare, said the demand from people seeking help was consistent throughout the year.
"But we know that only one in 10 problem gamblers seeks assistance from our services. Gambling Awareness Week and gambling advertising campaigns do increase awareness and therefore increase referrals to the program."
St Luke's Gambler's Help program is a free service available to people in the Loddon Mallee region, which includes the Macedon Ranges.
"Research indicates that 1.2 per cent of the population identify as having a gambling problem," Ms Jacksen said.
"This statistic refers to the extreme end of the spectrum and doesn't refer to the proportion of people who are at risk of developing a gambling problem or experiencing moderate issues with gambling.
"We encourage new clients to contact us, including family members and friends who are affected by someone's gambling."
For information and support, call St Luke's Gambler's Help on 1800244323.