New Zealanders lost a record A$2.07 billion last year on all forms of gambling.
Kiwis spent more than $16 billion, or about $3,600 for every man, woman and child on the islands, on casino games, club-based slots, lotteries and the TAB, according to the Department of International Affairs. Losses were up 3% increase over the previous financial year.
The Lotteries Commission enjoyed a record year, winning $419 million on $948 million in sales. But casinos generated the most revenue, $509 million, an 8% increase over the same period, which was “due to growth across SkyCity’s casinos and the Christchurch casino reopening after the February 2011 earthquake,” the department said.
Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain said that when the data was compared with the previous record of $2.04 billion in annual losses in 2004 and adjusted for inflation, “Total gambling is in fact reducing in New Zealand.”
A SkyCity spokeswoman said gaming revenue across the company’s New Zealand and Australian casinos was up 4.9% during the year and added that the company took its responsible gaming initiatives “very seriously”.
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