Gaming blamed on growth

An upturn in Taurnga gambling is attributed to there being more people. Photo: Supplied.

Tauranga's big upturn in non-casino gaming is attributed to strong economic growth, population increases and a rise in tourist numbers.

The chair of the Class 4 Gaming Working Party, Bruce Robertson says they are the key factors in the recent 2.5 percent increase in club and pub pokies spending.

According to figures released by the Department of Internal Affairs, $8,314,365 was pumped into electronic gambling machines in Tauranga alone in the three months to September. It's 3.8 per cent of the national total and more than ever before.

It's $684,308 more than they punted for the same period last year and despite the fact that there are fewer pokie machines.

Bruce Robertson says areas such as Auckland, Queenstown and the Bay of Plenty have benefitted from strong economic growth, population increases and a rise in tourist numbers.

'These are the regions where we are seeing the largest increases in gaming spend. At the same time, in areas that have not seen recent growth, such as Taranaki and Waikato, gaming spend is down.”Bruce says its good news for communities. 'The large numbers of community organisations that rely on gaming machine donations to support their work will be the main beneficiaries of the increase.”He points out that this should also allay concerns that the increase reflects a growth in gambling harm.

'Over the long term the incidence of problem gambling in New Zealand has been declining and we have one of the world's lowest rates of problem gambling.”

He says we are seeing New Zealanders with an increased disposable income, and visitors and newcomers to New Zealand, enjoying the entertainment option that gaming machines provide.

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