TORONTO — Ontario gamblers wagered $5.85 billion in fiscal 2004-05, an increase of $125 million from the previous year.

However, after expenses were deducted, the province received only $1.7 billion in net income from gambling.

The annual report of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation shows the bulk of the revenues -- $2.3 billion -- came from lottery tickets and bingo operations.

Commercial casinos brought in $1.5 billion, while charity casinos and slot machines at provincial racetracks brought in $1.9 billion.

The gaming corporation is promising to create new customer services centres in its commercial casinos this year that are staffed by problem gambling specialists.

The province will spend $4 million over the next two years on public awareness campaigns about gambling addiction.