Essendon are vowing to become less reliant on pokies, despite the state government announcing new 20-year licences for gaming machines.

The Bombers have made more than $23 million from poker machines in the last two years, behind only Hawthorn and Carlton.

AFL clubs have been given new 20 year licences to operate pokies machines. Credit:Dion Georgopoulos

Those three clubs, as well as Richmond and St Kilda, have been handed new licences that will allow them to operate pokies at venues around Melbourne until 2042.

But Essendon chief executive Xavier Campbell said the club was fully committed to reducing the amount of money they make from gaming.