New Zealand publishes official figures on gambling expenditure and participation. The figures below name their source and reporting period because administrative expenditure data and survey estimates measure different things.
New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs Data
The latest DIA annual figures available for the four main gambling sectors are for the 2023/24 financial year: total expenditure was NZ$2.792 billion. Expenditure is the amount lost by gamblers, or operator profit, as defined by the DIA dataset.
Breakdown of New Zealand Gambling Expenditure
The DIA reports four main sectors. These are nominal amounts for operators' financial year-end, not inflation-adjusted figures:
- Class 4 Gaming Machines (Pubs and Clubs): Approximately NZ$1.05 billion annually, collected from roughly 14,000 machines across 1,000 venues.
- Casinos (SkyCity Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Wharf): Approximately NZ$500 million to NZ$600 million annually.
- New Zealand Lotteries Commission (Lotto, Powerball, Instant Kiwi): Approximately NZ$650 million annually.
- TAB New Zealand (Racing and Sports Betting): Approximately NZ$400 million to NZ$450 million annually.
Statistical Realities of Player Outcomes
Mathematical and empirical studies published by the New Zealand Health Promotion Agency (HPA) and international researchers establish several critical baseline realities:
1. Participation vs Problem Prevalence
The 2023/24 New Zealand Gambling Survey found that 64.1% of people aged 15 or older had taken part in at least one gambling activity in the previous 12 months. The survey reported that 8.3% experienced some form of gambling-related harm in that period, including 2.4% at moderate or high risk. Survey results are estimates for the population and are not directly comparable with older surveys that used a different method.
2. The Pokie Density Disparity
Class 4 machine numbers and expenditure vary by district. The Department of Internal Affairs publishes quarterly district data; comparisons should use the same period and population measure.
| Gambling Sector | 2023/24 expenditure |
|---|---|
| Class 4 Pub & Club Pokies | NZ$1,037 million |
| Lotto & Instant Kiwi | NZ$792 million |
| Commercial Casinos | NZ$592 million |
| TAB Sports & Racing | NZ$371 million |
Where the Class 4 Money Goes
A unique feature of New Zealand's non-casino pokie sector is that commercial taverns are legally prohibited from profiting directly from gaming machine proceeds beyond a fixed site-rental fee. By law, net proceeds must be distributed by community gaming societies (such as the Lion Foundation, Pub Charity, and NZ Community Trust) back into amateur sports clubs, community halls, rescue helicopters, and schools.
