A new report issued by the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs showed gamblers spent $2.334 billion in 2016-2017, an increase of 5.7 percent or $125 million compared to the previous fiscal year. The report also indicated on average, gamblers spent $635 per person in 2016-2017 compared to $629 per person in 2015-2016, an increase of 1.1 percent.
Due to changes to Lotto games leading to more winners and larger Powerball prizes, NZ Lotteries’ product sales increased 26.8 per cent from $437 million in 2015-2016 to $555 million in 2016-2017. Average expenditures rose from $124 per person in 2015-2016 to $151 per person in 2016-2017.
The take from non-casino gaming machines rose 3.1 per cent, from $843 million in 2015-2016 to $870 million in 2016-2017. Average spending fell slightly from $240 per person in 2015-2016 to $237 per person in 2016-2017, coinciding with declines in the numbers of venues and machines.
The take from racing and sports betting by TAB, New Zealand’s betting agency, fell 1.3 per cent from $342 million in 2015-2016 to $338 million in 2016-2017. Betting turnover dropped due to fewer VIP customers betting into Australian hosted pools, plus a lack of major international sporting events besides the Lions’ tour. Average expenditures on TAB racing and sports betting dropped from $97 per person in 2015-2016 to $92 per person in 2016-2017.
The take from New Zealand’s six casinos decreased 2.4 per cent from $586 million in 2015-2016 to $572 million in 2016-2017. Officials at SkyCity, operators of four casinos, said reduced international business turnover affected gambling revenue. Average casino expenditures fell from $167 per person in 2015-2016 to $156 per person in 2016-2017.
An estimated $722 million, about 30.9 per cent of gambling expenditure in 2016-2017, went to various community services and projects.
