PUNTERS are continuing to spend their cash on the pokies with almost $55 million spent on gaming machines in Ballarat annually, new figures show. The amount of money pouring into the pokies in Ballarat has increased steadily over the past three years from about $51 million in 2005-06 and more than $52 million in 2006-07 to $54,899,469 in 2007/08. By comparison punters in Greater Bendigo spent just over $43 million at 10 pokies venues. The amount of money spent on gaming machines in Greater Geelong was much higher, with punters putting about $112 million into the pokies across 25 venues during the same time period. Ballarat had 15 pokies venues listed with Zagame's Ballarat Club Hotel in Main Rd having the highest number of machines.More than $10 million was spent on the 105 gaming machines at Zagame's in 2007-08.Meanwhile, in the Hepburn region more than $3 million was spent on the pokies at two venues _ the Daylesford Bowling Club and the Royal Hotel. Ballarat Responsible Gambling Committee chairman Councillor Des Hudson said the region's figures were "on a par" with other regional cities. He said the committee continued to take a harm minimisation approach. "People need to gamble responsibly and make sure that their other commitments are able to be meet as well," he said. "At the end of the day we respect people's choice to dispose of their income as they wish but if they're finding themselves getting in too deep, there are people who can offer confidential professional support."