Turns out that Kiwi and Australian online gamblers are known to be big spenders. A closer look at the numbers proves that is not the case. In fact, they are on the lower end of the scale.
A University of Lethbridge study published numbers that have local online gamblers spending NZ$539 per month on average - a large amount indeed.
But one of the study's authors, Robert Williams, said: "Only the median values provide somewhat meaningful comparisons between the regions. Using this criteria, the Australia-New Zealand internet and non-internet gamblers have the lowest expenditures of any region."
The median values for Kiwi's is NZ$16, about a tenth of the media value for American gamblers.
Numbers
Statistics New Zealand reports that Lotto is the most popular gaming activity at 86%. Gaming Machines (not in a casino) rank only sixth in popularity at 37%.
There are about 20,000 non-casino gaming machines in New Zealand.
Total spending on gambling in 2007/08 reached NZ$2.034 billion.
Protection
Once the player sits across the machine, he or she will find a new trend of player protection: Player Information Display.
Starting July 1, venues will have to pop a small screen warning players of the risk in gambling.