Gamblers in the Tauranga, Western Bay of Plenty, Whakatane and Rotorua districts fed some $15.7 million into pub and club gaming machines from January to March of this year.
According to the latest figures from the Department of Internal Affairs, Bay gamblers forked out the massive sum of money at 91 approved venues operating a total of 1282 machines across the region.
About $15.7 million dollars were fed into pub and gaming machines across the Bay of Plenty during the first quarter of 2016. Photo: File
Compared to January-March 2015, the total amount has risen by just over eight per cent on the $14.6m spent at 93 approved venues in the Bay of Plenty.
DIA senior communications adviser Trevor Henry says nationally a total of $199.5 million was spent by gamblers during the first quart of this year – up three per cent on the $193.2m spent for the same quarter last year.
But he says in line with annual trends, gamblers spent less in the first quarter of 2016 compared with the last quarter of 2015.
'There were fewer licence holders, gambling venues and gaming machines at March 31, 2016, compared with 12 months earlier,” he explains.
'Over the year licence holders fell six per cent from 312 to 292, venues declined four per cent from 1277 to 1224, and gaming machines dropped two per cent from 16,614 to 16,274.”
Between the fourth quarter of 2015 and the first quarter of 2016 spending dropped from $214.4m at the end of December to $199.5m by the end of March – a drop of almost $15m.
During this period the number of licence holders also fell from 300 to 292, venues dropped from 1238 to 1224 and the number of gaming machines decreased from 16,393 to 16,274.
'The spending is captured through the electronic monitoring of non-casino gaming machines which became fully operational in March 2007, enabling the Department to track and monitor operations, ensure the integrity of games and the accurate accounting of money,” says Trevor.
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TAURANGA DISTRICT |
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2016 |
Gaming Machine Proceeds: $7,658,813.24 |
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Approved venues: 38 |
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Machines: 541 |
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2015 |
Gaming Machine Proceeds: $6,933,716.70 |
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Approved venues: 37 |
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Machines: 527 |
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WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY DISTRICT |
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2016 |
Gaming Machine Proceeds: $1,225,968.75 |
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Approved venues: 15 |
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Machines: 182 |
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2015 |
Gaming Machine Proceeds: $1,142,331.10 |
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Approved venues: 15 |
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Machines: 187 |
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WHAKATANE DISTRICT |
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2016 |
Gaming Machine Proceeds: $2,046,820.83 |
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Approved venues: 12 |
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Machines: 173 |
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2015 |
Gaming Machine Proceeds: $1,973,045.68 |
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Approved venues: 14 |
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Machines: 197 |
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ROTORUA DISTRICT |
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2016 |
Gaming Machine Proceeds: $4,825,620.04 |
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Approved venues: 26 |
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Machines: 386 |
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2015 |
Gaming Machine Proceeds: $4,529,971.18 |
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Approved venues: 27 |
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Machines: 393 |
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For more information and statistics visit the Department of Internal Affairs' Gaming Statistics web page.
4 comments
Shocking
Posted on 29-04-2016 14:45 | By overit
There must be some very sad households out there. Food needed, bills to be paid. Addictions are crippling this country. Its very sad.
.
Posted on 29-04-2016 17:49 | By whatsinaname
That's disgusting. . And they say there is poverty. wonder why. Those machines should be banned
They
Posted on 30-04-2016 08:32 | By Capt_Kaveman
need to be completely removed
Fail to mention
Posted on 30-04-2016 10:00 | By Towball
Population growth tourism and where does the research mention a specific type of person frequenting these premises as some have mentioned in your comments. Reality is that a considerable number of elderly are gamblers and spend reasonable amounts every week. Unlike the most they have there FINANICAL resource as well as the returns via way of out lay. Where are your stats for the TAB.?.
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