Gambling spending dips again

File photo / Hawke's Bay Today

The amount spent on gambling fell 5.7 per cent last year, and is well down on the peak of $2.04 billion in 2003/04, the Department of Internal Affairs said today.

New Zealanders' total gambling in 2009/10 fell to $1.91b from $2.03b the year before, and has declined for the second year in a row.

Spending was up on TAB betting, but down on Lotteries Commission products, non-casino gaming machines and casino gambling, said the department's gambling policy manager, John Markland.

TAB racing and sports betting rose 3.4 per cent to $278m, while non-casino gaming machines fell 4.5 per cent but still accounted for the biggest gambling spend at $849m.

Spending on Lotteries Commission products fell 14.2 per cent to $347m but was still the second-highest for that segment, and gambling at casinos fell 5.8 per cent to $438m.

The figures related to the year ended June 30, 2010, except for TAB betting which was for the year to July 31.

The increase in TAB betting was largely due to sports betting, including the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

The reduction in spending on the pokies was likely to have been the result of difficult economic conditions, Mr Markland said.

The four main forms of gambling raised around a total of $600 million for a variety of community and sporting purposes during the year.

- NZPA