It could be a sign of the times but in New Zealand the ‘pokie’ machines in pubs and clubs saw a drop in play over the last quarter of 2008. Gambling machine numbers also fell from 20,025 in the third quarter to 19,879. According to Internal Affairs Director of Gambling Compliance, Mike Hill, there were also fewer licensed societies and venues compared with the September quarter. In 2006/07 expenditure on all forms of gambling increased for the first time in three years. However, casino gambling expenditure fell by 4.7%, reversing the 4.4% increase the previous year.

Figures released today by the Department of Internal Affairs show spending dropped just under 1% from $232.3m at 30 September to $230.7m at 31 December and was 6% lower on the same three-month period in 2007. 80% of gaming machines in New Zealand are in multi-venue locations, the rest in clubs. Gaming machine numbers rose rapidly between 1994 and 2003, peaking at 25,221, but have been declining steadily since then.

The Department of Internal Affairs is mounting a conference in Wellington next May - five years after the Gambling Act 2003 took effect - to consider in particular the costs and benefits of gambling, community engagement, and how integrity, harm and crime issues are addressed. It is intended to be a platform to gauge progress towards getting the best outcomes from gambling. The rules for gambling - the legislation and license conditions - focus on ensuring that the community benefits from the proceeds of gambling, and that the harm that gambling can cause is minimised. (E-01.28.09)

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