NZ Sees Increase Online Gambling Activity
New Zealand has recorded an increase in online gambling activity as the COVID 19 forces land-based casinos to shut down. Although all the physical premises are struggling currently, gamblers access their favourite games from their tablets, mobile phones as well as desktop computers. Under normal circumstances, the lotto in makes 75 percent from retail while only 25 percent from online sales. With the lockdown though, the lotto has seen close to 25,000 customers register on the MyLotto online.
Meanwhile, the SkyCity online platform has seen over 15,000 new users registered since the lockdown. This success is in contrast with the brick-and-mortar property where over 700 people have been laid off. According to the Health Promotion Agency, gambling habits have not changed much since the lockdown in New Zealand.
Gambling Habits Stats Unpacked
The research further indicates that many NZ gamblers have been gambling less due to financial contains. Additionally, since the lockdown, there has been a 9 percent increase in online gambling activities. An additional 8 percent have encountered online gambling for the first time while 12 percent of people are gambling online more than usual. A common reason for the increased level of online gambling during this COVID 19 lockdown is due to the fact that people are unable to access their usual gambling premises.
Online Gambling Dangerously Accessible
The Problem Gambling Foundation has raised concerns regarding the accessibility of gambling online. Richard Northey, the chairman of the company revealed that online gambling is now dangerously accessible. The foundation says it unsafe that gambling has become easily accessible which might put young people at risk.
Counseling clinics have been shut down since the lockdown but gamblers with a problem can speak to someone over the phone or video call. Gamblers in New Zealand spend over $2402 million on gambling in the 2018/19 financial year. This includes $616 million at land-based casinos as well as $530 million on Lotto.
MyLotto Ticket Sales Double
In April, the Lotto announced an increase in its figures since the lockdown. At that time, the MyLotto website recorded over 90,000 players who registered to buy virtual tickets. The MyLotto tickets were double compared to other months.