The amount of money dropped into New Zealand pokie machines fell by more than 3 per cent last year, according to new Government figures.
The number of gaming machines in Kiwi pubs and clubs also declined last year, from 18,133 to 17,670, the Department of Internal Affairs figures show.
Gaming machine expenditure slumped 3.1 per cent - or $27.1 million from $866.8m to $839.7m last year.
There were also 29 fewer gaming machine venues compared with 2011.
The spending is captured through the Electronic Monitoring System (EMS) of non-casino gaming machines, which became fully operational in March 2007, enabling the Department to track and monitor operations, while ensuring "the integrity of games and the accurate accounting of money''.
