Both individuals and organizations subsequently used them as a way of raising funds. The first 'Art Union' was conducted in New Zealand by the Otago Art Society in December 1877. From then until the introduction of the Totalizator Agency Board (TAB) in 1961, betting on racing was only available on-course. Horse racing īookmaking was declared illegal in New Zealand in 1920.
Expenditure on gambling (losses experienced by players) was $NZ 2.034 billion in 2008 ($NZ 480 per capita), a tenfold increase over 1985 figures. The largest proportion of the gambling industry is operated by state-owned institutions. All public gambling is expected to return a portion of profits to the community. Gambling in New Zealand is controlled by the Department of Internal Affairs.
