In Banyule, nearly $58.4 million was spent in 2010-11, down from $59.6 million the year before, while Nillumbik gamblers lost $9.7 million in 2010-11, down from $9.9 million the year before.

In Banyule, the amount poured into poker machines

almost matched Banyule Council's rates revenue, which totalled $59.37 million in 2010-11.

The drops come against a statewide increase of 2.1 per cent to $2.65 billion.

But experts have warned that those people most likely to cut back their spending are recreational pokies users, rather than problem gamblers.

The number of pokies and gaming venues in Banyule remained flat, with 651 pokies split between 11 venues.

In Nillumbik the number of venues dropped from three to two, and the number of poker machines dropped from 117 to 97.

Banyule councillor Jenny Mulholland welcomed the region's drop in pokies expenditure.

"We're getting a lot more elderly groups volunteering their time and keeping active in the community, so that could be one of the reasons," she said.

But Monash University gambling expert Charles Livingstone said the drop in gamble would not be from those who had the biggest problems.

"The recession has had an impact but what we've seen is a hardening up of the core gamblers and a bigger proportion spent by those who have less control," he said.

"Those dropping off are more likely to be casual, recreational gamblers."

Dr Livingstone said the amount spent on gamblers' help was insignificant considering the amount of money lost to pokies.

"The gambling help services, although very important, consume a tiny proportion of the amount people lose in pokies.

"From a few million spent on gambling counselling there's around $2.6 billion lost," Dr Livingstone said.