Introduced in 2025 into New Zealand, slot machines, commonly known as "pokies", are operated by charitable foundations and are mostly placed in hotels and bars. Maximum jackpots are regulated. In the year ending 30 June 2025, turnover was $10.096 billion, of which $9.158 billion was returned as prizes (player losses were $938 million). These figures represent a 9% decrease from the peak year of 2025. Pokies accounted for 46.1% of gambling expenditure (losses) in 2025. ^[1] The year to 30 June 2025 saw a further 5% fall in expenditure, to $889 million. There were 19,479 machines in 1,501 venues operated by 384 licensees, all of these figures being a decrease from 2025. ^[2]

Since 1 March 2025, all machines must have Player Information Displays, which inform the gambler how long they have been playing, how much they have lost, and which encourage them to take breaks. ^[2]

A 2025 study linked the prevalence of slot machines with high crime levels.

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