28/1/09

Pokie spend down

Gaming machine expenditure in pubs and clubs was down in the final quarter of 2008, according to figures released today by the Department of Internal Affairs. Spending dropped just under 1 per cent from $232.3m at 30 September to $230.7m at 31 December and was 6 per cent lower on the same three-month period in 2007.

Expenditure in the year to 31 December 2008 was $912.5 million compared with $927.1 million in the 12 months to 30 September 2008.

The spending is captured through the electronic monitoring of non-casino gaming machines (EMS) which became fully operational in March 2007. The Department can track and monitor operations, ensuring the integrity of games and the accurate accounting of money.

Non-casino GM spending by Society Type - Sept to Dec 2008 Society Type Total GMP Quarter % of Total Non-Club $199,113,208.93 86.3% Sports Clubs $4,815,330.13 2.1% Chartered Clubs $17,677,862.12 7.7% RSAs $9,059,348.04 3.9% Total Club $31,552,540.29 13.7% Total All $230,665,749.22 100.0%

Non-casino GM spending in quarter ended 31 December 2008 $230.7m 30 September 2008 $232.3 m 30 June 2008 $231 m 31 March 2008 $218.5 m 31 December 2007 $245.3 m 30 September 2007 $243.5 m 30 June 2007 $237.7 m

Internal Affairs Director of Gambling Compliance, Mike Hill said the number of gaming machines, was slightly down on the September 08 quarter, but remained at around 20,000 since the introduction of EMS. There were also fewer licensed societies and venues compared with the September quarter.

Licensed gambling operations in pubs and clubs

Date Licence holders Venues Gaming machines 31 Dec 2008 399 1537 19,879 30 Sept 2008 405 1551 20,025 30 June 2008 415 1552 19,856 31 March 2008 421 1569 20,018 31 Dec 2007 428 1585 20,182 30 Sept 2007 435 1593 20,163 30 June 2007 439 1598 20,120 31 March 2007 444 1607 20,302 31 Dec 2006 476 1666 20,518 30 Sept 2006 481 1676 20,571 30 June 2006 496 1701 20,739 31 March 2006 513 1721 21,026 31 Dec 2005 526 1747 21,343 30 Sept 2005 535 1770 21,684 30 June 2005 553 1801 21,846 31 March 2005 568 1838 22,159 31 Dec 2004 584 1850 22,231 31 Dec 2003 672 2031 22,734 30 June 2003(1) 699 2122 25,221 (1) Machine numbers peaked in the quarter before the Gambling Act was passed.

Further information, including numbers of venues, machines and expenditure by territorial authority and changes in the quarter, is available from the Department's Gaming Statistics web page at: www.dia.govt.nz

ENDS

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