Press Release – Gaming Machine Association of New Zealand The Department of Internal Affairs has today released data showing that, while gambling for the year was down, spending for the December 2020 quarter rebounded significantly. Peter Dengate Thrush, Chair of the Gaming Machine Association, which represents the … The Department of Internal Affairs has today released data showing that, while gambling for the year was down, spending for the December 2020 quarter rebounded significantly. Peter Dengate Thrush, Chair of the Gaming Machine Association, which represents the sector responsible for gaming machines in hotels, taverns and member clubs, said that it was pleasing to see strong signs of economic recovery across New Zealand – as has also been reflected in better-than-expected GDP and employment figures, and year on year increases in retail spending for the quarter as well. He noted that Lotto also saw an increase for the period.