Legislation to give the Lotteries Commission greater flexibility introduced

9/4/98

Racing and Gaming Minister Max Evans has moved in Parliament to give the Lotteries Commission greater flexibility in the definition of the types of games it can sponsor.

When introducing amendments to the Lotteries Commission Act, Mr Evans said that 80 per cent of the commission's revenue was obtained from its partnership with lotteries organisations from other States in the Australian and National Lotto Blocs.

The group was currently doing market research on several other possible games, but the WA Lotteries Commission would not be able to join them unless a more general definition of lotteries was included in the Act.

The primary purpose of the Lotteries Commission was to provide funding to hospitals, arts and sporting organisations, and community groups. To continue to provide the current level of community funding and meet the changing expectations of WA lotteries players, the commission would need be able to add new games to its current products.

The commission operated within the Government's overall policy in relation to the expansion of gaming and gambling in the community, and any new games could be introduced only with the Minister's approval.

As well as changing the definitions of lotteries and sports lotteries, the Bill would also amend the definition of a ticket to provide for the possibility of buying tickets by phone or other electronic means.

The sale of all Lotteries products will be restricted to people over 16, a restriction which currently applies only to instant lotteries.

Media contact: Hugh Ryan 9366 0200.