The betting monopoly has reported NZ$197.3m (US$124.9m) in wagering turnover and NZ$31.6m in gross betting revenue (GBR) for June, both below Tab’s budget.

Turnover came up NZ$8.1m short, while GBR was NZ$1m below budget, and this trend extended to virtually every financial metric. For example, it generated NZ$11m in profit, a NZ$1.7m shortfall driven by a drop in betting activity.

While Tab’s gaming business produced NZ$1.7m, this was only NZ$200,000 below budget when compared to betting, which was NZ$1.5m short.

However, operating expenses were also NZ$200,000 lower than anticipated, mitigating June’s overall impact.

Commenting on these results, Tab wrote: “While retail and hospitality was able to operate without capacity restrictions, softening economic conditions also played a factor as customers adjusted to the rising cost of living.

“There has also been a drop in starter numbers and/or across the three racing codes through April, May and June that has contributed to the variance in turnover.”

On a year-to-date basis, Tab’s total profit amounted to NZ$146.1m, NZ$3.4m below budget and NZ$17m less than last year.

However, year-to-date expenses, which came to NZ$107.1m, were also below budget by NZ$3.4m, though still above last year’s by NZ$3.5m.

Looking ahead, Tab added: “The board will continue to factor in potential developments in New Zealand’s response to Covid-19 and the current global financial climate, as to how trading conditions are affected and how this may or may not affect profit distributions.”