NZers spend $220.7m on pokies

People fed more into pokie machines in pubs and clubs in the September quarter than they did in the June quarter, but still spent less than the same time last year.

Spending on the nation's 19,296 machines rose to $220.7 million for the three months to September 30, compared to $217.3m in the quarter ending June 30.

However, in last year's September quarter, gamblers spent $232.3m - 5 per cent more than this year, Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) figures show.

Fewer licenses were issued this year than last - 377 this year, compared to 405 last year.

Also, fewer pubs and clubs and venues operated the machines - 1486 this year, compared to 1511 - with the total number of machines falling 3.6 per cent, from 20,025, DIA communications advisor Trevor Henry said.

The data was gathered using DIA's electronic monitoring system, which collected information from New Zealand's non-casino machines.

Almost $8.5m was taken through Returned and Services Associations, $17m through chartered clubs and $4.6m in sports clubs.

- NZPA