How Clean Are New Zealand Dollar Bank Notes?

Jamie Casey

March 22nd, 2021

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With Covid-19 significantly altering the amount of cash used on a day-to-day basis over the past 12 months, experts predict many cashless societies may emerge sooner rather than later.

The ongoing pandemic could also change the face of the casino industry, with more and more gamblers the world over turning to online casinos while regular casinos remain closed to the public in certain jurisdictions.

That, in turn, could lead to fewer illnesses being passed around as, according to research carried out by microbiologists in conjunction with Gambling.com, the circulation of bank notes leaves cash users vulnerable to picking up unwanted bacteria.

In order to discover which casino cash carries the most germs, we commissioned microbiologists to gather qualitative and quantitative data on 20 of the most commonly used notes around the globe, one of which being New Zealand Dollars.

Using swab tests, the experts were able to pinpoint the extent of hidden bacteria circulating via cash and the results came out somewhat favourable for New Zealanders, if not perfect.

The research found only seven bacterial colonies on NZ Dollars. For context, an alarming 209 bacterial colonies were found on Canadian Dollars, comfortably making it the filthiest currency on the planet, with Brazilian Real a distant second on 118.

World's Filthiest Currencies

Australian Dollars fared similar to NZ, with eight bacterial colonies detected on the bank notes studied. Meanwhile, US Dollars carry just five bacterial colonies, the same number as Japanese Yen.

Of the 20 currencies studied, only French Euro notes returned no traces of bacterial colonies, while the UK’s Pound Sterling was found to be carrying seven.

Delving deeper into the findings, Canadian Dollars were found to be carrying many different types of harmful bacteria, such as Bacillus, which can cause food poisoning.

Other types of bacteria commonly found on the 20 currencies analysed include Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, which can cause urinary tract infections, while Mucor Racemosus – which can cause a respiratory fungal infection – was also common.

Read the Casino Cash report in full detail here.