Second quarter pokie statistics

14 August 2018

The latest quarterly statistics on pokies in pubs and clubs released by the Department of Internal Affairs continue recent trends with increasing gaming machine profits but decreasing gaming machines and venues.

The headline statistics for April to June 2018 show:

• $227 million in gaming machine profits, $6.8 million or 3.1 per cent higher than the $220 million for the same period last year.
• 1,140 venues, 40 or 3.4 per cent fewer than the 1,180 at the same period last year.
• 15,420 gaming machines, 438 or 2.8 per cent fewer than the 15,858 at the same period last year.

More detailed quarterly statistics are available on the Department of Internal Affairs website: https://www.dia.govt.nz/Resource-material-Information-We-Provide-Gaming-Statistics
The Department of Internal Affairs releases quarterly statistics in its role of regulator for gambling. The Department collects statistics including the numbers of gaming machines, venues, and profits to provide accurate information about gambling.

Help is available if you or someone you know has a gambling problem. For free and confidential information and help you can call 0800 654 655 or visit https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/healthy-living/addictions/harmful-gambling?icn=yh-harmful-gambling&ici=readmore. The Ministry of Health funds and coordinates problem gambling services.

ENDS

For further information please contact the Department of Internal Affairs media desk on media@dia.govt.nz or 027 535 8639.

GLOSSARY FOR EDITORS
• Gaming machines: the number of individual pokie machines in pubs and clubs at the end of the period.
• Venues: the number of pubs and clubs with pokie machines at the end of the period.
• Gaming machine profits: the amount of money players lost playing gaming machines over the period. It is not the same as the amount that players put into gaming machines because players frequently “reinvest” their winnings by playing any credits rather than cashing them out.