Local councils and public health services are being credited for a drop in the amount being spent on poker machines in pubs and clubs, which is the lowest it's been since 2008.
In the year to December, gaming machine expenditure dropped by 3.4 percent from the previous year, a drop of $28 million, from $839.7 million to $811.5 million.
The problem gambling foundation says news that less money has been spent on gambling is fantastic.
It attributes the drop to the sinking lid policies of some councils, which mean existing machines can stay, but can not be replaced or new machines added.
The kaiwhakahaere of the public health service Hapai Te Hauora Tapui says although the numbers are good news, there's plenty more work to be done within the community to tackle the problem.
Pokies have a little less pull. Photo: AFP
