Gamblers in New Zealand spent $2,334 million dollars on the four main forms of gambling in the 2016/17 financial year, $125 million (5.7 per cent) more than the previous year, according to figures compiled by the Department of Internal Affairs.

Spending on lotteries increased the most, up 26.8 per cent, while non-casino gaming machine expenditure rose 3.1 per cent. Racing and sports betting, and casinos recorded small decreases of 1.3 per cent and 2.4 per cent respectively.

Adjusting for the effects of both inflation and changes to New Zealand’s population (18 years and older), gambling expenditure* increased by 1.1 per cent, from an average of $629 per person in 2016, to $635 per person in 2016/17.

The take from TAB racing and sports betting decreased 1.3 per cent from $342 million in 2015/16 to $338 million in 2016/17.

Betting turnover fell due to fewer VIP customers betting into Australian hosted pools and a lack of major international sporting events, apart from the Lions’ tour. After adjusting for both inflation and changes in the adult population, expenditure on TAB racing and sports betting decreased from an average of $97 per person in 2016 to $92 per person in 2016/17.