Gamblers spent a little less in 2009/10

Statistics released today show New Zealanders’ overall gambling expenditure in 2009/10 decreased by 5.7 per cent on the previous year.

Releasing the gambling expenditure figures for 2009/10, the Department of Internal Affairs Gambling Policy Manager, John Markland, said that spending on the main forms of gambling decreased by 5.7 per cent from $2.028 billion in 2008/09 to $1.913 billion.  Gambling expenditure reached a peak of $2.039 billion in 2003/04.

“Spending was up on TAB betting, but down on Lotteries Commission products, non-casino gaming machines and casino gambling,” Mr Markland said.

Overall spending in 2009/10 on gambling was made up of:

Gambling product            2009/10 Spending (Player Losses)     Increase / Decrease from 2008/09

                                                         Rounded                                From unrounded figures

TAB racing and sports betting             $278m                                         + 3.4%
Lotteries Commission products          $347m                                          - 14.2%
Non-casino gaming machines            $849m                                         - 4.5%
Casinos                                                   $438m                                          - 5.8%
Total spending                                   $1.913 billion                                  - 5.7%

The figures relate to the year ended 30 June 2010 except for racing and sports betting, which is for the year to 31 July 2010.

Mr Markland said the increase in TAB racing and sports betting was due largely to increased sports betting, particularly betting as a result of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa in June/July this year.

“While there was a 14.2 per cent decrease for Lotteries Commission products on last year’s record expenditure figure (which was mainly due to record sales for two unusually large jackpot draws), the figure is still the second highest ever for the Lotteries Commission.

“Spending on non-casino gaming machines – the pokies – is the largest of the four main gambling sectors but that expenditure decreased from $889 million in 2008/09 to $849 million in 2009/10.  One reason for this was likely to have been the continuing difficult economic conditions.

“The 5.8 per cent decrease in casino gambling expenditure from $465 million to $438 million reflects the gambling spending trends reported by SkyCity, owner or part-owner of four of New Zealand’s six casinos, and particularly the trends in its Auckland casino.  Spending in Auckland was down a little in 2009/10 when compared with 2008/09.”

Mr Markland also noted that these four main forms of gambling together raised around $600 million for a variety of purposes in 2009/10.

“The New Zealand Racing Board raised around $125 million for the racing industry and to support racing club infrastructure.  The New Zealand Lotteries Commission transferred $165 million to the Lottery Grants Board for allocation to various arts, cultural, sporting and other community purposes.  The casinos paid around $3 million to their community trusts.  It is more difficult to provide precise numbers for the non-casino gaming machine sector, partly because gaming machine societies have different financial years.  However, a reasonable estimate is that non-casino gaming machines raised around $300 million for community purposes in 2009/10.”
Further details are available in the Gambling Expenditure Statistics Table (1986-2010) and Explanations at: www.dia.govt.nz.