AFL clubs reaped almost $100 million from poker machines last year, as punter losses at Victorian venues hit a near 10-year high.

Overall losses on the state’s 26,384 poker machines at pubs and clubs increased $86 million to nearly $2.7 billion in the 2018 financial year, the highest level since 2008-09 when Australians were given cash handouts to help stimulate the economy during the global financial crisis.

Carlton and Hawthorn are competing for top position on the pokies income ladder. Credit:AAP

And the biggest losses came from some of the most disadvantaged areas, according to new figures released by the gambling regulator on Friday, including the City of Brimbank ($139.5 million) in Melbourne’s north-west, and Casey ($131.5 million) in the outer east.

“This is quite devastating,” gambling-reform campaigner Tim Costello said.