Why are Pokies so Popular in New Zealand
Aside from possibly being matched by their Oceanic neighbours, Australia, there is probably nowhere else in the world where pokies are so ubiquitous as they are in New Zealand. Otherwise known as slot machines, pokies are somewhat of a cultural phenomenon in the nation, with the pastime just part of regular life for many Kiwis up and down the country. This is reflected in the figures as well, with annual gaming machine profits of over $1 billion highlighting not just the popularity of pokies but also their impressive ability to generate revenue. So, let’s take a closer look at why pokies are so popular here and assess what the future might look like for them as gambling continues to evolve.
A history of pokies in New Zealand
The best place to start is at the start, and for pokies in New Zealand, this isn’t actually that long ago. Before the 1990s, gambling in the country was very tightly controlled, with only racehorse betting and lotteries regulated under Kiwi law. This changed following the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1991, which opened up New Zealand’s gambling market. Most notably, the legislation allowed for non-casino venues such as pubs and clubs to operate gaming machines with the caveat that any profits from the machines must be used for community purposes. This led to an explosion in popularity, with pokies appearing in virtually every venue across the country. By 2003, there were a reported 25,000 machines in New Zealand, an impressive number for a country of only 4 million people. In the years following, the Kiwi Government made amendments to tighten gambling laws in response to claims that the number of pokies may be an issue for problem gamblers. As a result, there are significantly fewer pokies in New Zealand today. Despite this, they remain incredibly popular.
Embedded into Kiwi culture
A key reason as to why pokies have remained so popular in New Zealand is the way in which they have become so embedded into Kiwi culture. Much like watching the All Blacks play or drinking a glass of Marlborough wine, playing pokies is part of what makes New Zealand the country it is. Being placed into the pubs and clubs where people often go to meet up with friends, relax after a busy week and have a drink to settle them down, pokies are just seen as another part of the night out. Whereas in other countries, you would have to head to a designated gambling venue, like a casino, which requires additional effort and forethought, in New Zealand, pokies are seamlessly integrated into a standard night at the pub. Furthermore, while pokies have only been present in the country for around 35 years, their use has become socially accepted amongst Kiwis in a way that simply hasn’t happened in other communities elsewhere. While the reasons behind this would require a more in-depth study, it is clear that the normalisation of using pokies has aided their popularity.
Gambling revenues go back into the community
Talking of community, the intriguing community funding model that is supported by gaming machine revenues is another important aspect of why the popularity of pokies remains so high. A minimum of 40% of all gaming revenues from machines must go towards a grant pool to be spent on grassroots projects and to support local groups. Multiple areas of the community benefit from these grants, including local sports clubs, community health services, as well as Māori cultural preservation groups. This ultimately makes playing pokies feel not just like a fun pastime, but almost like a form of community service, where the money you spend helps to fund the very things that keep the local infrastructure around you going. While there remains a debate over the tension that can be created by communities relying on money generated from pokies, this concept of giving back through playing is another reason why pokies continue to be loved by Kiwis.
A new generation of gamblers
Following the emergence of online gambling platforms over the past decade, there appears to have been a shift in New Zealand’s gambling preferences, with many of the new generation increasingly turning to online casinos instead of traditional pokies. With access to some of the best rated online pokies anywhere in the world, many gamblers, particularly those below the age of thirty, are ditching old-fashioned machines in favour of these online platforms, which promise greater variety as well as offering intriguing bonuses and promotions. While this shift certainly doesn’t indicate a drop-off in the popularity of pokies-style gambling, it does indicate that the traditional format faces significant challenges to remain relevant.
Upcoming changes to gambling laws
It also poses serious questions surrounding the current laws that regulate gambling activities in the country. Firstly, at present, there is a clear lack of regulation to control the rapidly rising online gambling industry. With no state-regulated iGaming market, many Kiwis access the wealth of offshore platforms that are easily accessible to play their favourite games. And while many of these sites provide a secure gaming environment for players, operating within this legal grey area still poses concerns surrounding player safety. Secondly, the large revenues generated by traditional pokies that go towards community projects are at risk of disappearing, meaning that many of the groups that rely on these grants could soon face having their funds cut. February 2026 will see the launch of a new regime in New Zealand looking to deal with these issues and hopefully better regulate the country’s evolving gambling scene. Many will be hoping it has the desired effect.
While it remains that pokies are hugely popular in New Zealand, it is clear that nailing down exactly why is a much harder question. Through a combination of widespread integration of machines throughout the country and a unique intertangling of pokies into local communities, to many, they are simply fundamental to the Kiwi way of life. Considering the changes afoot, however, could this popularity soon start to dwindle?
Last Updated: April 29, 2025
