Lottery sales up 4 percent
Gamblers in New Zealand spent $2.2 billion on bets in the 2015-16 financial year, according to figures compiled by the Department of Internal Affairs That’s an increase of $118 million, according to TVNZ.com.
The average Kiwi punter increased his or her annual betting from $601 in 2015 to $616. The government figures show wagers increased 2.6 percent overall. TAB racing and sports betting increased 5.3 percent from $325 million in 2015 to $342 million in 2016.
NZ Lotteries sales increased as well, up 4 percent from $420 million in 2015 to $437 million in 2016. According to the website, the increase occurred when Lotto retiring its “Big Wednesday” promotion, which made the Saturday night jackpots get bigger faster.
