Hon Rick Barker
Minister of Internal Affairs
28 March 2008
Media Statement
Lotto online opportunity for more safeguards and collecting better info
Internal Affairs Minister, Rick Barker announced today that changes have been gazetted enabling the online sale of
Lotto, Powerball, Strike, Big Wednesday and Keno tickets. While NZ Lotteries are yet to set a date for the launch of any
online products, Mr Barker outlined the many safety features that will govern online play to minimise the risk of
problem gambling.
"Online sales represent a real opportunity to improve the safety features around the sale of lotto tickets," Mr Barker
said.
"These safeguards generally do not apply in Lotto retail outlets and will ensure safe access to NZ Lotteries products
online as there is no ongoing relationship between the purchaser of the ticket and NZ Lotteries. Online play will allow
the collection of better information about spending habits which has not been possible until now. This information will
provide a real insight into the way New Zealanders use these products, and there will be an obligation on NZ Lotteries
to act if a problem is detected.
"There is consumer demand for online access to Lotto, Powerball, Strike, Big Wednesday and Keno. It is the Lotteries
Commission's responsibility to ensure this demand can be met without undue risk to the public.
"Players will be required to register to play online, be limited to one account and will have to set their own personal
weekly and monthly spending limits which cannot be exceeded. There will also be more general mandatory spending limits.
“Players will also be able to see how much they have won or lost over the year. NZ Lotteries will monitor players who
consistently spend to the maximum, and will contact them to offer support and problem gambling helpline information.
This is a major improvement. At the moment we know nothing about individual spending habits. With this information we
will be better able to assess if there are any problems.
"When the Gambling Act was passed in 2003 it was always envisaged that there would eventually be demand for online
services. For this reason the NZ Lotteries and the New Zealand Racing Board were exempted from the online gambling
website prohibition, so that there is provision for New Zealanders of a relatively safe alternative to the online games
offered by overseas-based gambling operators, and so that any benefits from Internet gambling will remain in New
Zealand," Mr Barker said.
ENDS