Survey Shows Younger Kiwis Gamble Less
Recently updated on May 21st, 2026
A long-term study from the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) Gambling and Addictions Research Centre has found that younger people in New Zealand are changing the way they spend their free time compared to older generations. The Pacific Islands Families (PIF) study followed the lives and entertainment habits of nearly 1,400 people from childhood into adulthood over several years.
Researchers discovered that traditional land-based gambling activities have become less popular among young Kiwis during the past decade. Fewer younger adults are visiting pokies venues, casinos, and betting shops compared to previous generations.
The study also shows that younger people now prefer other forms of entertainment, including mobile gaming, social media, streaming services, and online content. For online casino operators targeting the New Zealand market, this trend highlights a major change in how modern players interact with real-money entertainment.
The Growth of Digital and Mobile Entertainment
People in Oceania have traditionally ranked among the highest gamblers in the world. Reports from H2 Gambling Capital showed that the average gambling loss per adult reached around NZ$1,421.34 each year.
However, recent research shows that younger adults are now gambling less often. During the last part of the survey, only 25.7% of younger people took part in sports betting, online casinos, table games, and pokies. Among people aged 25 to 34, gambling participation dropped by 19.2 percentage points to 37.5%. In the 35 to 49 age group, participation in real-money gaming fell by 21.8 percentage points.
Growth of Mobile Entertainment
Associate Professor Maria Bellringer, director of the Gambling and Addictions Research Centre at AUT, highlighted a critical evolutionary bridge between childhood video games and adult playing patterns. The longitudinal data verified that regular online gaming or engagement with digital microtransactions at age 14 served as a significant statistical predictor of potential real-money playing risks by the time those individuals reached age 22.
Furthermore, public health researchers emphasize that modern, highly interactive mobile applications, video games, and social betting platforms are capturing the attention that used to go to traditional mechanical gaming venues.
“Forty percent of those exhibiting risky behaviors reached out to someone close to them looking for support, and this could be part of the key to addressing the issues,” explained Bellringer.
This shift means casual players are moving away from traditional pub environments, preferring to engage via mobile devices or peer-to-peer social experiences.
Regulation and Consumer Protection
The Department of Internal Affairs (Te Tari Taiwhenua) is radically overhauling digital gaming rules under the Online Casino Gambling Act. While Kiwi punters have legally accessed overseas gambling websites for years, an estimated NZ$750 million flows offshore annually. To reclaim this revenue and protect locals, the Government is introducing a strict, domestic licensing regime to replace the wild-west grey market.
The new legislation completely prioritizes player safety by capping the legal market to a maximum of 15 licensed operators. These approved brands will face a 16% offshore gambling duty, with a mandatory 4% slice ring-fenced directly to support local sports clubs and community programs.
Any operator targeting New Zealand must apply for a formal license or completely exit the market. Unlicensed platforms trying to bypass the new framework face massive enforcement penalties, including immediate digital takedowns and heavy fines of up to NZ$5 million.
