New Zealand's non-casino gaming machine profit reached NZ$271.5m (US$159.2m) during the April to June 2026 quarter, the highest nominal June-quarter figure recorded since the Department of Internal Affairs began its current reporting series in 2015.
Gaming machine profit, which represents money retained after prizes are paid, increased 8.45% from NZ$250.4m in the March quarter.
However, the inflation-adjusted figure provides a different picture of the underlying trend. Real quarterly GMP increased 6.85% to NZ$194.7m but remained the third lowest June-quarter result in the dataset.
The latest increase came despite a continued contraction in New Zealand's Class 4 gaming machine estate. The number of licensed electronic gaming machines fell by 48 during the quarter to 13,613, while the number of operating venues declined by three to 948.
That continues a long-term reduction in machine availability. In June 2015, New Zealand had 16,579 machines across 1,266 venues, meaning the machine estate has contracted by around 18% and the venue count by approximately 25% over the period.
At the same time, nominal June-quarter GMP has increased from NZ$207m in 2015 to NZ$271.5m in 2026. Average profit per machine rose 8.8% from the March quarter to NZ$19,949, with the inflation-adjusted average increasing 7.2%.
Porirua recorded the highest average GMP per machine at NZ$26,848.25. Auckland followed at NZ$26,227.52, ahead of Tauranga at NZ$24,501.46, Queenstown-Lakes at NZ$23,805.86 and Hastings at NZ$23,542.46.
Top five NZ areas by GMP per gaming machine
Average GMP per EGM, April to June 2026
New Zealand regulates gaming machines outside casinos as Class 4 gambling under the Gambling Act 2003. The activity may only be conducted by corporate societies to raise funds for authorised purposes, with separate operator and venue licences required.
Local authorities also control the establishment, relocation and expansion of Class 4 venues through gambling venue policies. Some councils operate sinking-lid policies, under which closed venues cannot be replaced.
The Ministry of Health's current gambling harm strategy runs from July 2025 to June 2028 and includes a levy on non-casino gaming machine operators to fund prevention and treatment services.
New Zealand is simultaneously restructuring its online gambling framework. In July, the Department of Internal Affairs opened the bidding process for up to 15 online casino licences, ahead of a planned fully licensed market in 2027.
New Zealand had 25,221 Class 4 gaming machines in 2003, compared with 13,613 at the end of June 2026
