Slot machine spending grows in New Zealand

The latest numbers show a 2.4 percent annual increase in slot machine spending in New Zealand.

New Zealand.- According to information released by the Department of Internal Affairs of New Zealand, slot machine spending increased for a fourth consecutive year in September, as numbers indicate a 3.4 percent annual increase.

In the twelve months ended September 20 gaming machine proceeds increased from US$588 million to US$605 million. This increase comes even if New Zealand reduced the number of gambling facilities and machines: this year the number of machines fell from 3.1 percent to 12k, whilst facilities decreased 4.2 percent to 1163.

A report from BERL, a consultancy firm, said: “Expenditure might be expected to increase as GDP, population, employment, earnings, consumer confidence and the number of international visitors increase, but the opposite appears to be true.”