Pokies suffering as economy slows

The economic crunch is putting people off gambling.

Charities Gaming Association chief executive Francis Wevers says in recent months the number of people spending money on the pokies has dropped.

He says official figures will be released soon.

Mr Wevers says gambling dollars are normally discretionary, and they are not spent elsewhere.

He says the amount of money from pokie machines going to the community through trusts will decline.

Mr Wevers says on average people spend about 60 dollars a year on gambling.

- NEWSTALK ZB