New Zealand total gambling spend up in 2013

People in New Zealand spent more than NZ$2 billion (€1.2 billion/$1.7 billion) on the four main types of gambling during the 2012-13 financial year, an increase of NZ$7 million on the previous year.

According to data from the country’s Department of Internal Affairs, TAB racing and sports betting experienced the biggest increase with NZ$294 million being spent on gambling, a rise of 4% on the NZ$283 spent in 2011-12.

Although gaming machines proved to be the most popular form of gambling having drawn in NZ$826 million, the amount spent by punters fell 3.3% on the NZ$854 recorded in the previous year.

Elsewhere, the amount spent on NZ Lotteries products such as Lotto and scratch cards increased 3.1% to NZ$432 million, while casino gambling expenditure also rose by 2.1% to NZ$520 million.

Despite the overall increase in overall gambling spend, when adjusted for inflation, the 2013 total figure represents a 19% decline from a peak of NZ$2.6 billion recorded in 2004.

source : www.igamingbusiness.com