Total national spending on entertainment, sport and culture rose 5.5% in 2003 to NIS 28.1 billion.
Israelis spent over NIS 1.6 billion on legal gambling in 2003, the Central Bureau of Statistics reported today. The money, spent on Mifal Hapayis - Israel National Lottery and Toto football (soccer) lottery, amounted to 5.8% of national spending on entertainment, sports and culture.
Total national spending on entertainment, sport and culture rose 5.5% in 2003 to NIS 28.1 billion, after falling 1.9% in 2002.
National spending on entertainment, sport and culture amounted to 5.6% of GDP in 2003. Per capita spending on entertainment, sport and culture rose 4.8% in 2003. The figures indicate that the economy is emerging from recession and point to a surge in private consumption.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on July 27, 2004