| New Zealanders have been gambling on horses and | | | | Holds more than 780 race meetings a year, attended |
| greyhounds for many years and it has always been | | | | by more than 1.04m customers. |
| part of the local mantra rugby, racing and beer. These | | | | Since 1994 when the Christchurch Casino opened the |
| are the three things a good kiwi male should follow. | | | | government has given out 6 licences to companies for |
| Now in the 21st century New Zealand has much more | | | | legalised Casinos to operate in New Zealand. At this |
| to offer the gambler. | | | | stage the NZ government will not be issuing any more |
| The New Zealand TAB initiated the world's first | | | | licenses. The Casinos are located in Auckland, |
| Government-run totalisator betting service in 1951. The | | | | Hamilton, Christchurch, Dunedin and two in |
| TAB (totalisation agency board) is run by the New | | | | Queenstown. |
| Zealand Racing board and controls all of New | | | | It is no surprise that all of the casinos are flourishing |
| Zealand's horse, greyhound and sports gambling. They | | | | and they are returning some of there profit to the |
| have branches set up all over New Zealand as well as | | | | community through sponsorship and grants to charities. |
| at all race meets. In 1996 it added fixed odds betting to | | | | The Casinos have also opened the way for pubs/bars |
| its horse and greyhound gambling options, when the | | | | and sports clubs around New Zealand to place |
| TAB began sports betting. | | | | ?pokies? (electronic gambling machines) in their |
| The three racing sports that New Zealanders bet on | | | | establishments. A large amount of the profit off these |
| before fixed odds Sports betting was made legal | | | | ?pokies? is given back to the community through |
| were; | | | | government grants and sponsorships given out by the |
| New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (gallops) | | | | sports club or pub/bar. |
| Harness Racing New Zealand (trotting and pacing) | | | | With the increased in gambling it is of no surprise to |
| New Zealand Greyhound Racing (greyhounds) | | | | anyone that there has been an increased level in |
| Now over 26 sports are covered with sports from all | | | | gambling related crime and illness. This is the price you |
| over the world, including baseball, rugby, football, golf, | | | | have to pay to bring the many jobs and money to the |
| tennis and cricket to shearing. | | | | communities that have gambling establishments near |
| In 2003 when the New Zealand racing board was set | | | | them. |
| up it conducted a survey the found out that racing; | | | | New Zealand has embraced casino gambling with |
| Generates some 1.3% of New Zealand's gdp - around | | | | both hands and if you can control your emotion and |
| $1.5bn per year | | | | that feeling to bet just a little bit more, it can be a fun |
| Creates some 18,300 full time jobs, generating more | | | | way of having a bet and a nice meal. |
| than $679m in salaries and wages. That's the figure, | | | | New Zealand AtoZ provides useful free New Zealand |
| measured in "full time equivalents" | | | | information and advice to travellers. |
| Generates more than $130m in export sales of horses | | | | Your complete guide to New Zealand. |