Lotto Amendment Rules 2014

2015/1

Coat of Arms of New Zealand

Lotto Amendment Rules 2014

Pursuant to section 243 of the Gambling Act 2003, the New Zealand Lotteries Commission (Lotto New Zealand) makes the following rules after approval by the Minister of Internal Affairs.

Rules

1 Title

These rules are the Lotto Amendment Rules 2014.

2 Commencement

These rules come into force on 5 February 2015.

3 Principal rules

These rules amend the Lotto Rules 2000 (the principal rules).

4 Rule 3 amended (Interpretation)

(1)

In rule 3, replace the definition of Act with:

Act means the Gambling Act 2003

(2)

In rule 3, revoke the definition of advance game entry.

(3)

In rule 3, insert in its appropriate alphabetical order:

advance selection,—

(a)

in relation to a game or games specified by the Commission that follow the game that is current at the time of selection, means—

(i)

a standard lotto selection; or

(ii)

a lotto powerball selection; or

(iii)

a lotto strike selection; but

(b)

does not include a multi-draw selection

(4)

In rule 3, definition of Commission, replace “established” with “continued”.

(5)

In rule 3, revoke the definition of mail order retailer.

(6)

In rule 3, replace the definition of multi draw selection with:

multi-draw selection means a selection for 2 or more games of standard lotto, lotto powerball, or lotto strike

(7)

In rule 3, insert in their appropriate alphabetical order:

play it again selection means a selection made using a play it again ticket in accordance with these rules

play it again ticket means a ticket that—

(a)

is issued in printed form by a terminal; and

(b)

the Commission has determined as being valid for the purpose of processing a new ticket

(8)

In rule 3, definition of purchased electronically, paragraph (b), delete “or a purchase made by post or other delivery service”.

(9)

In rule 3, replace the definition of standard lotto selection with:

standard lotto selection means the selection of 6 numbers between 1 and 40 (inclusive) in accordance with these rules; and includes the numbers selected

(10)

In rule 3, definition of terminal, after “installed”, insert “or approved”.

5 Rules 10 to 19 and cross-headings replaced

Replace rules 10 to 19 and the cross-headings above rules 11, 14, 18, and 19A with:

10 Making a selection

The Commission may permit a player to make a selection by any 1 or more of the following means:

(a)

for a ticket issued in printed form by a terminal,—

(i)

by marking a coupon by hand, submitting that coupon to a retailer for processing, and requesting that the retailer—

(A)

issue a ticket recording the selection marked on the coupon; or

(B)

modify the selection recorded on the coupon in a manner permitted by the Commission’s computer system and issue a ticket that records the modified selection:

(ii)

by requesting from a retailer a lucky dip selection or a combo lucky dip selection:

(iii)

by submitting a play it again ticket to a retailer for processing and requesting that the retailer—

(A)

issue a ticket that records a selection that is identical to the selection recorded on the play it again ticket; or

(B)

modify the selection that is recorded on the play it again ticket in a manner permitted by the Commission’s computer system and issue a ticket that records the modified selection:

(iv)

by requesting from a retailer a lotto powerball selection of the player’s choosing:

(b)

for a ticket purchased electronically,—

(i)

by making the selection electronically on a coupon and electronically submitting the coupon:

(ii)

by making the selection electronically in any other manner permitted by the Commission:

(iii)

by indicating electronically, in a manner permitted by the Commission, that the player wants a lucky dip selection or a combo lucky dip selection.

11 Lotto powerball

(1)

If a player—

(a)

requests from a retailer a lotto powerball selection or makes electronically a lotto powerball selection, the lotto powerball selection applies—

(i)

in conjunction with each standard lotto selection chosen by the player on his or her coupon:

(ii)

in respect of a lucky dip selection or a combo lucky dip selection, in conjunction with each standard lotto selection made by the Commission’s computer system:

(b)

requests that the Commission’s computer system choose on a random basis the player’s lotto powerball selection, the selection made by the Commission’s computer system applies—

(i)

in conjunction with each standard lotto selection chosen by player on his or her coupon:

(ii)

in respect of a lucky dip selection or a combo lucky dip selection, in conjunction with each standard lotto selection made by the Commission’s computer system.

(2)

Subclause (3) applies if, under subclause (1)(a), a player requests or selects—

(a)

fewer lotto powerball selections than the number of standard lotto selections on the player’s coupon; or

(b)

in respect of a lucky dip selection or a combo lucky dip selection, fewer lotto powerball selections than the number of standard lotto selections made by the Commission’s computer system.

(3)

If this subclause applies and unless otherwise specified by a player on his or her coupon, the player’s lotto powerball selections apply in conjunction with the first standard lotto selection, and then the second standard lotto selection, and so on, until each lotto powerball selection applies in conjunction with a standard lotto selection.

(4)

Subclause (5) applies if, under subclause (1)(b), a player requests—

(a)

fewer lotto powerball selections than the number of standard lotto selections on the player’s coupon; or

(b)

in respect of a lucky dip selection or a combo lucky dip selection, fewer lotto powerball selections than the number of standard lotto selections made by the Commission’s computer system.

(5)

If this subclause applies, the Commission’s computer system chooses, on a random basis, the player’s lotto powerball selections in conjunction with the first standard lotto selection, and then the second standard lotto selection, and so on, until each lotto powerball selection applies in conjunction with a standard lotto selection.

12 Requirements for marking coupon by hand

(1)

A player who marks a coupon must mark, by hand, 1 or more boxes on a board on the coupon with a line that does not extend beyond the outline of the box of the number marked.

(2)

A board on a coupon that is not marked by hand in accordance with subclause (1), but is marked by a machine or some other means, is invalid and must not be processed by the retailer.

6 Rule 21 amended (Cancellation of ticket)

In rule 21(1), delete “26(6),”.

7 Rules 24 and 25 replaced

Replace rules 24 and 25 with:

24 Advance selections

(1)

The Commission may, but is not required to, permit a player to make an advance selection by advising the retailer, or indicating electronically, that the player wishes to make an advance selection.

(2)

In all other respects, the advance selection must be made in accordance with these rules.

25 Multi-draw selections

(1)

The Commission may, but is not required to, permit a player to make a multi-draw selection for 2 or more games of lotto by—

(a)

marking by hand the appropriate multi-draw box on a coupon to indicate the number of games for which the player’s selections have been made; or

(b)

advising the retailer of, or indicating electronically, the number of games for which the player wishes the player’s selections to apply.

(2)

The Commission may require a player making a multi-draw selection for lotto powerball or lotto strike to make that selection for the same number of games as the multi-draw selection for standard lotto being played in conjunction with the games of lotto powerball or lotto strike.

(3)

In all other respects, the entry must be completed and selections made in accordance with these rules.

(4)

If a ticket for a multi-draw selection that is issued in printed form by a terminal entitles the bearer of the ticket to be paid a prize, the bearer of the winning ticket must, on surrender of the ticket, be issued with a substitute ticket for any games entered that have not been drawn at the time the ticket is surrendered.

8 Rule 26 revoked (Selection by post or other delivery service)

Revoke rule 26.

9 Rule 31 amended (Division of prizes and allocation of prize pool for standard lotto)

In rule 31(3)(a), replace “rule 36” with “rule 35A”.

10 Rule 33 amended (Division of prizes and allocation of prize pool for lotto powerball)

In rule 33(3)(a), replace “rule 36” with “rules 36B and 36C”.

11 Rule 35 amended (Division of prizes and allocation of prize pool for lotto strike)

In rule 35(3)(a), replace “rule 36” with “rules 35C and 35D”.

12 New rules 35A to 35D inserted

After rule 35, insert:

35A Jackpots for standard lotto

(1)

If, as a result of any drawing, there is no division one winning selection for a game of standard lotto, then the portion of the available prize pool for the game that was allocated to division one in that drawing must be added (jackpotted), subject to the restriction in rule 31A and subclause (2), to the division one allocation in the next following game of standard lotto.

(2)

No jackpot may occur for more than 4 consecutive games of lotto.

(3)

If there is no division one winning selection in 4 consecutive games of standard lotto and in the fifth consecutive game there is also no division one winning selection, the total of the jackpot together with the division one prize pool allocation for the fifth game of standard lotto must be added to the prize pool allocation for the next lowest prize division of that game with 1 or more winning selections.

35B Threshold amount, maximum number of games, and specified lotto strike date

(1)

For the purposes of rules 35C and 35D, the Commission—

(a)

must determine for division one—

(i)

the maximum amount of the allocation of the prize pool (the lotto strike threshold amount); and

(ii)

the maximum number of games of lotto strike for which a jackpot may occur (the maximum number of lotto strike games):

(b)

may nominate a specified date on which, if there is no division one winning selection in the drawing of the lotto strike game on that date, the total division one prize pool that may be won in that game must be added to the prize pool allocation for the next lowest prize division of that game with 1 or more winning selections (the specified lotto strike date).

(2)

The Commission may, from time to time, revoke a determination made under subclause (1)(a) and make another determination under that subclause that takes effect after the division one prize pool has been won or allocated under the determination being revoked.

(3)

The Commission must, as soon as is reasonably practicable after making a determination or a nomination under subclause (1), give public notice of the determination or nomination in the manner that the Commission thinks fit.

35C Jackpots for lotto strike

(1)

This rule applies if, as a result of any drawing, there is no division one winning selection for a game of lotto strike.

(2)

The portion of the available prize pool for the game that was allocated to division one in that drawing must be added, subject to subclause (3), to the division one allocation in the next game (jackpot).

(3)

A jackpot may not occur—

(a)

if, as at the conclusion of the drawing referred to in subclause (1), the jackpot would result in the division one allocation in the next game exceeding the lotto strike threshold amount for division one; or

(b)

for more than the maximum number of lotto strike games for division one.

(4)

If a jackpot may not occur because of subclause (3), the division one allocation must be added to the prize pool allocation for the next lowest prize division with 1 or more winning selections.

35D Specified lotto strike date

If there is no division one winning selection in a game of lotto strike on a specified lotto strike date, the division one prize pool allocation for that game (including any additions under rule 35C) must be added to the prize pool allocation for the next lowest prize division with 1 or more winning selections.

13 Rule 36 revoked (Jackpots for standard lotto and lotto strike)

Revoke rule 36.

14 Rule 36A amended (Threshold amount, maximum number of games, and specified lotto powerball date)

In rule 36A(1)(a)(i), replace “threshold amount” with “lotto powerball threshold amount”.

15 Rule 37 amended (Prize reserve fund)

(1)

In rule 37(1)(b), replace “Part 7” with “subpart 2 of Part 3”.

(2)

In rule 37(1)(d), replace “section 90 of the Act” with “section 243 of the Act or section 90 of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1977”.

(3)

In rule 37(3), replace “section 90 of the Act” with “section 243 of the Act or section 90 of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1977”.

16 Rule 56 replaced (Effect on advance game entries and multi draw selections)

Replace rule 56 with:

56 Effect on advance selections and multi-draw selections

(1)

For a ticket issued in printed form by a terminal, if a player has made an advance selection or a multi-draw selection for a game of lotto powerball or lotto strike and that form of lotto is withdrawn, the player may—

(a)

retain the player’s ticket in relation to the game or games that will be held before the withdrawal; or

(b)

obtain a refund for the selections the player made in relation to the game or games for which a draw will be held before the withdrawal, in which case the refund must be obtained before the draw to which it relates.

(2)

For a ticket issued in printed form by a terminal, if, for any reason, a drawing for lotto powerball or lotto strike to which an advance selection or a multi-draw selection relates is not held, a player is entitled, despite rule 27(7),—

(a)

to return for cancellation any ticket on which any advance selections or multi-draw selections are recorded; and

(b)

on the cancellation of that ticket, to a refund equal to the cost of the player’s selections for each game for which a drawing was not held.

(3)

For a ticket purchased electronically, if, for any reason, a drawing for lotto powerball or lotto strike to which an advance selection or a multi-draw selection relates is withdrawn or not held, the player is entitled to a refund equal to the cost of his or her selections for each game for which a drawing was not held.

Dated at Auckland this 22nd day of December 2014.

The Common Seal of the New Zealand Lotteries Commission was, pursuant to a resolution of the Commission, affixed in the presence of:

[Seal]

Judy Kirk,
Presiding Member.

 Wayne Pickup,
Chief Executive, New Zealand Lotteries Commission.

Approved by the Minister of Internal Affairs on the 15th day of December 2014.

Hon Peter Dunne,
Minister of Internal Affairs.

Explanatory note

This note is not part of the rules, but is intended to indicate their general effect.

These rules, which come into force on 5 February 2015, amend the Lotto Rules 2000 to—

  • include express reference to the play it again ticket option; and

  • enable the Lotteries Commission to set a specified lotto strike date on which the division one prize pool must be won; and

  • remove the ability for players to make selections by post or other delivery service; and

  • improve consistency with rules for other similar games.

These rules are a legislative instrument and a disallowable instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2012 and must be presented to the House of Representatives under section 41 of that Act.

Issued under the authority of the Legislation Act 2012.

Date of notification in Gazette: 8 January 2015.

These rules are administered by the New Zealand Lotteries Commission.