Will be expected by 11.59pm on Thursday 19 September, due to the Governance and Administration Committee having to report back to the House of Representatives on 10 October.
The Government of New Zealand has launched a public consultation into a legislative amendment to exempt lotteries from a remote gambling prohibition clause.
Currently, the New Zealand Gambling Act 2003 prohibits ‘remote interactive gambling’ under Section 9, defining the term as any activity that involves “gambling by a person at a distance by interaction through a communication device”.
The legislative amendment aims to exempt lotteries from the remote gambling prohibition clause under the New Gambling Act 2003. Contained in Section 9, the rule prohibits "gambling by a person at a distance by interaction through a communication device."
However, In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, New Zealand's gambling law was updated to permit certain remote gambling activities for Class 3 license holders, ensuring they could continue fundraising. While lotteries were covered in the update and allowed to operate remotely, the exception is temporary and scheduled to expire on October 31, 2024. However, with the new proposed law, the government aims to make remote lottery operations permanent.
Public feedback will be expected by 11.59pm on Thursday 19 September, due to the Governance and Administration Committee having to report back to the House of Representatives on 10 October.
The legislative framework recognizes Class 3 license holders, including lotteries, as gambling operators who conduct gambling activities without machines to raise funds for charities and non-commercial purposes. With the permanent exemption, lotteries can continue advertising freely and accepting online payments.
Currently, only three entities can permanently operate remote gambling in New Zealand: the state-owned Lotteries Commission (Lotto NZ operator), providers authorized under the Racing Industry Act 2020, and licensed lotteries operating outside New Zealand's jurisdiction.
