$7 million increase in gambling expenditure 2012-13

$7 million increase in gambling expenditure 2012-13

Gamblers in New Zealand spent $2072 million dollars on the four main forms of gambling in the 2012/13 financial year, $7 million more than the previous year, according to figures compiled by the Department of Internal Affairs.

In 2012/13:

• TAB racing and sports betting increased by 4 per cent from $283 million to $294 million, reflecting the continuing growth of race betting
• Spending on NZ Lotteries products rose 3.1 per cent from $419 million to $432 million
• Casino gambling expenditure rose 2.1 per cent from $509 million to $520 million
• Spending on gaming machines in pubs and clubs dropped by 3.3 per cent from $854 million to $826 million.

Details are available on the Department’s website under Gambling Expenditure Statistics.

When adjusted for inflation total gambling expenditure in 2013 declined by almost 19 per cent from the peak recorded in 2004 ($2569 million inflation-adjusted). The only form of gambling that did not see a drop in inflation-adjusted expenditure over the past decade are Lotto products ($432 million in 2013), which has increased 22 per cent since 2004 ($355 million when adjusted for inflation).

An estimated $637 million, or 31 per cent of expenditure, was distributed to a variety of community purposes from gambling proceeds. Non-casino gaming machine trusts raised an estimated $290 million for authorised community purposes. NZ Lotteries transferred $202 million to the Lottery Grants Board for community services and projects. The New Zealand Racing Board allocated $142 million, mostly to support racing club activities and infrastructure. Casinos paid just over $3 million to their community trusts.

In addition, gambling operators pay a levy from their profits to meet the costs of an integrated problem gambling strategy – estimated to be $54 million (GST exclusive) for the current 2013-16 levy period.

ENDS

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