A national gambling study has shown Maori are more likely to gamble than non-Maori.

The new Ministry of Health National Gambling Study has found almost one in 50 Maori have a problem with gambling, compared with just 0.3 per cent of Pakeha, and another 4.4 per cent were considered to have a moderate risk.

Ruth Herd, who is completing her doctoral thesis on youth gambling, says it comes with a dose of whakama (shame), as people feel ashamed when their gambling losses mean they can't pay bills or meet family commitments.

In many cases it's intergenerational, but today's gambling is more likely to be done sitting in front of pokies or sports betting screens than the housie or card games used to raise money for the marae.

"There's less of that social aspect to it although families do go to gaming venues together and some of them go to game and some of them go to have a meal and some of them go to play pool or 10-pin bowling but the problem is these places are family-oriented have become gaming venues," Ruth says.

The study showed 85 percent of Maori gambled compared ith 82 per cent of European followed by 75 per cent of Pacific Islanders and 61 per cent of Asians.

It also showed Lotto was the most popular form of gambling 62 per cent. This was followed by raffles 47 per cent, Instant Kiwi 33 per cent, bets with friends and workmates 15 per cent, non-casion gambling machines 14 per cent and horse and dog racing 12 per cent.

Ruth also says people are starting to gamble at a younger age.