{"id":"a-1964-13","name":"Lotteries Act 1964","slug":"lotteries-act-1964","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"act","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"13 of 1964","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":23913,"registerId":"act-a-1964-13-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Lotteries Act 1964","content":"Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nLotteries Act 1964\nA1964-13\nRepublication No 12\nEffective: 26 December 2025\nRepublication date: 26 December 2025\nLast amendment made by A2025-29\n\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAbout this republication\nThe republished law\nThis is a republication of the Lotteries Act 1964 (including any amendment made under the\nLegislation Act 2001, part 11.3 (Editorial changes)) as in force on 26 December 2025. It also\nincludes any commencement, amendment, repeal or expiry affecting this republished law to\n26 December 2025.\nThe legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3\nand 4.\nKinds of republications\nThe Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT\nlegislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):\n• authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies\n• unauthorised republications.\nThe status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.\nEditorial changes\nThe Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial\namendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.\nEditorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by\nan Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The\nchanges are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into\nline, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.\nThis republication includes amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).\nUncommenced provisions and amendments\nIf a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately\nbefore the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law\nare accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more\ninformation, see the home page for this law on the register.\nModifications\nIf a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the symbol M appears\nimmediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying provision appears in the\nendnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation Act 2001, section 95.\nPenalties\nAt the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an\nindividual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).\n\nR12\n26/12/25\nLotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\ncontents 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nLotteries Act 1964\nContents\nPage\n1 Name of Act 2\n2 Dictionary 2\n2A Notes 2\n3 When lottery taken to be conducted 2\n4 Application 2\n5 Lotteries 3\n6 Exempt lotteries 3\n6A Exempt lotteries—conditions 6\n7 Approval of lotteries 7\n7A Variation of approval 8\n8 Prohibition of certain lotteries etc 8\n9 Advertising certain lotteries prohibited 9\n10 Sale of tickets in certain lotteries prohibited 9\n11 Printing of tickets for certain lotteries prohibited 9\n\nContents\nPage\ncontents 2 Lotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR12\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n12 Prohibition of formation of syndicates for purchase of shares in\nlotteries 9\n12A Instant lotteries 10\n13 Audit 10\n15 Misappropriation of funds or prizes 11\n16 Fraudulent drawing etc 11\n18 Supervision of conduct of lottery 12\n18AA Protection of personal information 12\n18A Determination of fees 13\n20 Regulation-making power 13\nDictionary 14\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes 15\n2 Abbreviation key 15\n3 Legislation history 16\n4 Amendment history 19\n5 Earlier republications 22\n6 Expired transitional or validating provisions 23\n\nR12\n26/12/25\nLotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nLotteries Act 1964\nAn Act relating to lotteries\n\nSection 1\npage 2 Lotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR12\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n1 Name of Act\nThis Act is the Lotteries Act 1964.\n2 Dictionary\nThe dictionary at the end of this Act is part of this Act.\nNote 1 The dictionary at the end of this Act defines certain terms used in this\nAct.\nNote 2 A definition in the dictionary applies to the entire Act unless the\ndefinition, or another provision of the Act, provides otherwise or the\ncontrary intention otherwise appears (see Legislation Act, s 155 and\ns 156 (1)).\n2A Notes\nA note included in this Act is explanatory and is not part of this Act.\nNote See the Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes.\n3 When lottery taken to be conducted\nFor this Act, a lottery is being conducted from when the first\nsubscription to the lottery is paid until all the prizes in the lottery are\ndistributed.\n4 Application\nThis Act does not apply in relation to a pool betting scheme or a pool\nbetting competition within the meaning of the Pool Betting Act 1964.\n\nSection 5\nR12\n26/12/25\nLotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n5 Lotteries\n(1) For this Act, a lottery is a scheme or arrangement, whether real or\npretended, by which prizes (whether of money or of any other\nproperty, benefit, matter or thing) are or are to be, or are represented\nor understood as capable of being, drawn, thrown or competed for or\ngained in any other way by lot, dice or any other mode of chance or\nby reference to any event or contingency depending on chance,\nwhether the scheme or arrangement is, either in whole or in part,\nestablished or conducted or intended or proposed to be established or\nconducted in the ACT or elsewhere.\n(2) A scheme or arrangement that involves the distribution of property\nthat is capable of being fairly apportioned among the owners of the\nproperty and is proposed, as far as practicable, to be apportioned\nequally among those owners is not a lottery for this Act.\n6 Exempt lotteries\n(1) For this Act, an exempt lottery—\n(a) means—\n(i) a lottery that is conducted in the course of carrying on a\ntrade or business and in which the prizes consist of the\ngranting of rebates, discounts or other allowances in\nrelation to amounts payable, or the granting of refunds of\namounts paid, for goods sold or services performed in the\ncourse of carrying on the trade or business; or\n(ii) a lottery in relation to which the total value of the prizes\ndoes not exceed an amount determined by the commission;\nor\n(iii) a private lottery; but\n(b) does not include a lottery in which the prizes are, or are capable\nof being, drawn, thrown or competed for or gained in any other\nway by or by reference to the playing of an unlawful game.\n\nSection 6\npage 4 Lotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR12\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(2) For subsection (1) (a) (ii), the amount may be—\n(a) determined by—\n(i) stating the amount; or\n(ii) setting a rate, or providing a formula or other method, by\nwhich the amount is to be worked out; or\n(iii) a combination of a stated amount and a rate, formula or\nother method; or\n(b) determined for a stated period.\n(3) A determination under subsection (1) (a) (ii) is a disallowable\ninstrument.\nNote Power to make a statutory instrument includes power to make different\nprovision in relation to different matters or different classes of matters\n(see Legislation Act, s 48).\n(4) In this section:\nprivate lottery means a lottery—\n(a) in which chances to win prizes are restricted to persons who—\n(i) are members of the same association or work or reside in\nthe same premises; and\n(ii) subscribe to the lottery, whether by the purchase of tickets\nor otherwise; and\n(b) that is conducted—\n(i) for a lottery in which chances to win prizes are restricted\nto persons who are members of the same association—by\na person who is a member of the association and is\nauthorised by the governing body of the association to\nconduct the lottery; or\n\nSection 6\nR12\n26/12/25\nLotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 5\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(ii) for a lottery in which chances to win prizes are restricted\nto persons who work or reside in the same premises—by a\nperson who works or resides in those premises; and\n(c) in which the same amount is payable for each chance to win a\nprize and, for a lottery to which subscriptions are made by the\npurchase of tickets, the amount so payable is specified on each\nticket; and\n(d) in which each subscriber contributes the full amount payable for\neach of the subscriber’s chances and does not receive a refund\nof the whole or any part of the subscriber’s contributions; and\n(e) that is not advertised except—\n(i) for a lottery in which chances to win prizes are restricted\nto persons who are members of the same association—by\nthe exhibition of a notice at premises of the association; or\n(ii) for a lottery in which chances to win prizes are restricted\nto persons who work or reside in the same premises—by\nthe exhibition of a notice at those premises; and\n(f) in which tickets are not sent to subscribers through the post; and\n(g) in which the proceeds of subscriptions to the lottery, after\npayment of any expenses incurred in printing tickets for the\nlottery, are used wholly and exclusively—\n(i) for a lottery in which chances to win prizes are restricted\nto persons who work or reside in the same premises—for\nthe provision of prizes; or\n(ii) for a lottery in which chances to win prizes are restricted\nto persons who are members of the same association—for\nthe provision of prizes and for the purposes of the\nassociation.\n\nSection 6A\npage 6 Lotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR12\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n6A Exempt lotteries—conditions\n(1) An exempt lottery is subject to the following conditions:\n(a) each ticket or entry in the lottery must have an equal chance of\nwinning;\n(b) the winning ticket or entry, and, if available, the identity of the\nperson who holds the winning ticket or entry, must be recorded\nby the person conducting the lottery;\n(c) the person conducting the lottery must—\n(i) make the results of the lottery available to subscribers; and\n(ii) if the identity of a person who holds the winning ticket or\nentry is known—tell the person the results of the lottery;\nExample—par (c) (i)\nPublishing the winning ticket number in a newsletter or on a website.\n(d) a person who wins a prize must not be charged a fee when the\nperson receives the prize;\nExamples—fee\n• an administrative fee\n• a delivery fee\n(e) the person conducting the lottery must not conduct the lottery or\nadvertise the lottery in a way that, having regard to the lottery\nparticipants, could be considered inappropriate or offensive;\nExample\nA raffle targeted at children and young people that offers a cosmetic surgery\nprocedure as the prize.\n(f) for a lottery with 2 or more prizes—the major prize must be\ndrawn first, unless a winning ticket or entry is eligible to win\nanother prize;\n\nSection 7\nR12\n26/12/25\nLotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 7\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(g) the person conducting the lottery must do everything reasonably\nnecessary to ensure that a person entitled to a prize in the lottery\nreceives the prize;\n(h) if a prize is not claimed within a reasonable period, taking into\naccount the nature of the prize, the person conducting the lottery\nmust draw another winning ticket or entry.\nExamples—nature of the prize\n• perishable food with a ‘use by’ date\n• tickets to an event that occurs soon after the lottery is drawn\n(2) For subsection (1) (b) and (c) (ii), the person conducting the lottery\nmust take reasonable steps to identify a person who holds a winning\nticket or entry.\n(3) A lottery that is exempt under section 6 (1) (a) (ii) is also subject to\nany condition determined by the commission.\nNote Power to make a statutory instrument includes power to make different\nprovision in relation to different matters or different classes of matters\n(see Legislation Act, s 48).\n(4) A determination is a disallowable instrument.\n7 Approval of lotteries\n(1) A person may apply, in writing, to the commission for approval to\nconduct a lottery.\n(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to—\n(a) an exempt lottery; or\n(b) a lottery in which the prizes are, or are capable of being, drawn,\nthrown or competed for or gained in any other way by or by\nreference to the playing of an unlawful game.\n(3) The commission may grant or refuse the approval.\n\nSection 7A\npage 8 Lotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR12\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(4) If the commission grants approval for the conducting of a lottery, the\napproval is subject to the conditions (if any) imposing requirements\nor prohibitions on the person conducting the lottery that the\ncommission considers necessary to ensure that, as far as possible, the\nlottery will be properly conducted and the interests of subscribers to\nthe lottery will be adequately protected.\n(5) As soon as practicable after the commission has granted or refused\napproval for the conducting of a lottery, the commission shall notify\nin writing the person who applied for approval of the grant or refusal\nof approval.\n(6) In any proceeding, a certificate issued by the commission specifying\nwhether an approval for the conducting of a lottery specified in the\ncertificate has been granted under this section and, if an approval has\nbeen granted, specifying the conditions (if any) to which the approval\nis subject is evidence of the matters specified.\n7A Variation of approval\nA person who has been granted approval to conduct a lottery under\nsection 7 may apply in writing to the commission for variation of the\napproval.\n8 Prohibition of certain lotteries etc\n(1) A person shall not conduct a lottery other than an approved lottery or\nan exempt lottery.\nMaximum penalty: 50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or\nboth.\n(2) If an approval granted under section 7 for the conducting of a lottery\nis subject to a condition imposing a requirement or prohibition on the\nperson conducting the lottery, the person shall not contravene that\ncondition.\nMaximum penalty: 50 penalty units.\n\nSection 9\nR12\n26/12/25\nLotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 9\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n9 Advertising certain lotteries prohibited\nA person shall not—\n(a) print or publish, or cause or permit to be printed or published; or\n(b) display, or cause or permit to be displayed, in any public place\nor in any place that is visible from the public place;\nan advertisement, sign or notice relating to a lottery other than an\napproved lottery or an exempt lottery.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n10 Sale of tickets in certain lotteries prohibited\nA person shall not sell or offer for sale a ticket or a share in a ticket,\nor accept money in relation to the purchase of a ticket or a share in a\nticket, in a lottery other than an approved lottery or an exempt lottery.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n11 Printing of tickets for certain lotteries prohibited\nA person shall not print, or cause or permit to be printed, a ticket in\nconnection with a lottery other than an approved lottery or an exempt\nlottery.\nMaximum penalty: 5 penalty units.\n12 Prohibition of formation of syndicates for purchase of\nshares in lotteries\nA person shall not—\n(a) for gain or reward, promote, or take part in the formation of, a\nsyndicate for the purchase of a ticket, or a share in a ticket, in a\nlottery; or\n\nSection 12A\npage 10 Lotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR12\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(b) advertise, or cause or permit an advertisement to be printed or\npublished, that he, she or any other person is prepared to receive\nmoney for a ticket, or for a share in a ticket, purchased or to be\npurchased in a lottery.\nMaximum penalty: 10 penalty units.\n12A Instant lotteries\n(1) If there appears on a ticket in an instant lottery—\n(a) the expression ‘match 3’, ‘match three’, ‘match any 3’ or ‘match\nany three’; or\n(b) an expression to a similar effect;\nthe expression shall be taken to have always had the same meaning\nas the expression ‘find 3 of the same’.\n(2) In this section:\ninstant lottery means an approved lottery in which prizes are\ndetermined (wholly or partly) by exposing the matter in panels on the\ntickets in the lottery.\n13 Audit\n(1) The commission may by written notice to a person who is or has been\nconcerned in the conduct of a lottery, require the person to give to the\ncommission, within a period specified in the notice—\n(a) a written statement showing the whole of the receipts and\ndisbursements in connection with the lottery; and\n(b) all books, documents and vouchers relating to the lottery.\n(2) The commission may keep any statements, books, documents or\nvouchers that are so given to the commission and may cause them to\nbe audited by a person authorised by the commission for the purpose.\n\nSection 15\nR12\n26/12/25\nLotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 11\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(3) A person so authorised to audit any statements, books, documents or\nvouchers relating to a lottery may, by written notice to a person who\nis or has been concerned in the conduct of the lottery, require the\nperson, within a period specified in the notice, to give the commission\nthe information in the possession of the person or to which the person\nhas access, and to answer the questions, that the authorised person\nconsiders necessary for the purposes of the audit.\n(4) A person to whom a requirement is directed under this section shall\ncomply with the requirement.\nMaximum penalty: 50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or\nboth.\n(5) A notice under this section to a person may be given personally to the\nperson or may be sent by post to the last-known place of residence or\nbusiness of the person.\n15 Misappropriation of funds or prizes\nA person who is concerned in the conduct of a lottery shall not\nconvert to the person’s own use any of the money subscribed to, or\nany of the prizes in, the lottery.\nMaximum penalty: 50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or\nboth.\n16 Fraudulent drawing etc\nA person shall not, with intent to defraud, conduct the drawing of a\nlottery in such a way or under such conditions that the chances of\nwinning prizes are not equally favourable to all persons having tickets\nin the lottery.\nMaximum penalty: 50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or\nboth.\n\nSection 18\npage 12 Lotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR12\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n18 Supervision of conduct of lottery\n(1) If it appears to the commission to be desirable for the purpose of\nprotecting the interests of subscribers to a lottery that the conduct of\nthe lottery should be supervised, the commission may, by written\nnotice, authorise a person to supervise the conduct of the lottery.\n(2) A person authorised under subsection (1) may—\n(a) enter any place where a lottery is being, or is to be drawn; and\n(b) give to persons who have been or become concerned in the\nconduct of the lottery the directions in relation to the lottery that\nthe commission considers necessary to ensure as far as possible\nthat the interests of the subscribers to the lottery are protected.\n(3) A person shall not, on being shown the notice of authority given under\nsubsection (1)—\n(a) hinder or obstruct the person authorised by the notice in the\nexercise of the authorised person’s powers under this section; or\n(b) contravene a direction given to the person under subsection (2).\nMaximum penalty:\n(a) for paragraph (a)—50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months\nor both; and\n(b) for paragraph (b)—50 penalty units.\n18AA Protection of personal information\n(1) A person conducting a lottery must ensure that—\n(a) personal information about a subscriber to the lottery is only\ncollected if the information is necessary for the conduct of the\nlottery; and\n(b) any information collected is—\n(i) used only in accordance with this Act; and\n(ii) stored and disposed of securely.\n\nSection 18A\nR12\n26/12/25\nLotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 13\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(2) In this section:\npersonal information—\n(a) means information or an opinion, whether true or not, about—\n(i) an identified individual; or\n(ii) an individual whose identity can reasonably be worked out\nfrom the information or opinion; and\n(b) includes an individual’s name.\n18A Determination of fees\n(1) The Minister may determine fees for this Act.\n(2) A determination is a disallowable instrument.\n20 Regulation-making power\nThe Executive may make regulations for this Act.\n\nDictionary\npage 14 Lotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR12\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary\n(see s 2)\nNote 1 The Legislation Act contains definitions and other provisions relevant to\nthis Act.\nNote 2 For example, the Legislation Act, dict, pt 1, defines the following terms:\n• disallowable instrument (see s 9)\n• Executive\n• penalty unit (see s 133).\napproved lottery means a lottery approval for the conducting of which\nhas been granted under section 7.\nassociation means an organisation, club, society or other body of\npersons, whether incorporated or not, but does not include a body\nestablished or carried on solely or principally for the purpose of\nconducting a lottery or of gaming or wagering.\ncommission means the gambling and racing commission.\nexempt lottery—see section 6 (1).\nsubscriber, to a lottery, means a person with a ticket or entry in the\nlottery.\nunlawful game—see the Unlawful Gambling Act 2009, section 7.\n\nEndnotes\nAbout the endnotes 1\nR12\n26/12/25\nLotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\nAmending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the\namendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law\nbut are set out in the endnotes.\nNot all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are\nannotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be\nobtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.\nUncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details\nof these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are\nunderlined in the legislation history and amendment history.\nIf all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered\nprovisions gives details of previous and current numbering.\nThe endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.\n2 Abbreviation key\nA = Act NI = Notifiable instrument\nAF = Approved form o = order\nam = amended om = omitted/repealed\namdt = amendment ord = ordinance\nAR = Assembly resolution orig = original\nch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph\nCN = Commencement notice pres = present\ndef = definition prev = previous\nDI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously\ndict = dictionary pt = part\ndisallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule\nAssembly reloc = relocated\ndiv = division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No\nGaz = gazette RI = reissue\nhdg = heading s = section/subsection\nIA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule\nins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision\nLA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law\nLR = legislation register sub = substituted\nLRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced\nmod = modified/modification or to be expired\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 16 Lotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR12\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n3 Legislation history\nThis Act was originally a Commonwealth ordinance—the Lotteries\nOrdinance 1964 No 13 (Cwlth).\nThe Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 (Cwlth), s 34 (4)\nconverted most former Commonwealth ordinances in force in the ACT into ACT\nenactments. This allowed the ACT Legislative Assembly to amend and repeal the\nlaws. This Act was converted into an ACT enactment on 11 May 1989\n(self-government day).\nAs with most ordinances in force in the ACT, the name was changed from\nOrdinance to Act by the Self-Government (Citation of Laws) Act 1989 A1989-21,\ns 5 on 11 May 1989 (self-government day).\nBefore 11 May 1989, ordinances commenced on their notification day unless\notherwise stated (see Seat of Government (Administration) Act 1910 (Cwlth), s 12).\nLegislation before becoming Territory enactment\nLotteries Act 1964 A1964-13\nnotified 21 August 1964\ncommenced 1 September 1964 (s 2)\nas amended by\nOrdinances Revision (Decimal Currency) Ordinance 1966 Ord1966-19\nnotified 23 December 1966\ncommenced 23 December 1966\nLotteries (Amendment) Ordinance 1981 Ord1981-13\nnotified 20 May 1981\ncommenced 29 May 1981 (Cwlth Gaz 1981 No S103)\nLotteries (Amendment) Ordinance 1982 Ord1982-17\nnotified 7 May 1982\ncommenced 11 June 1982 (Cwlth Gaz 1982 No S117)\nLotteries (Amendment) Ordinance 1983 Ord1983-44\nnotified 29 September 1983\ncommenced 1 October 1983\nLotteries (Amendment) Ordinance 1984 Ord1984-23\nnotified 29 June 1984\ncommenced 1 July 1984 (Cwlth Gaz 1984 No S244)\n\nEndnotes\nLegislation history 3\nR12\n26/12/25\nLotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 17\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nSelf-Government (Consequential Amendments) Ordinance 1989\nOrd1989-38 sch 1\nnotified 10 May 1989 (Cwlth Gaz 1989 No S160)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 10 May 1989 (s 2 (1))\nsch 1 commenced 11 May 1989 (s 2 (2) and see Cwlth Gaz 1989\nNo S164)\nLegislation after becoming Territory enactment\nLotteries (Amendment) Act 1994 A1994-36\nnotified 28 June 1994 (Gaz 1994 No S114)\ncommenced 28 June 1994 (s 2)\nLotteries (Amendment) Act 1996 A1996-60\nnotified 3 December 1996 (Gaz 1996 No S321)\nss 1-3 commenced 3 December 1996 (s 2 (1))\nremainder commenced 13 December 1996 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1996\nNo S331)\nRevenue Legislation Amendment Act 1999 A1999-38 pt 3\nnotified 12 July 1999 (Gaz 1999 No S44)\ncommenced 1 July 1999 (s 2)\nGambling and Racing Control (Consequential Provisions) Act 1999\nA1999-47 sch, notes\nnotified 17 September 1999 (Gaz 1999 No S54)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 17 September 1999 (s 2 (1))\nsch, notes commenced 1 December 1999 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1999\nNo S63)\nLegislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 A2001-44 pt 232\nnotified 26 July 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 30)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 July 2001 (IA s 10B)\npt 232 commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2 and see Gaz 2001\nNo S65)\nCriminal Code (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences)\nAmendment Act 2004 A2004-15 sch 2 pt 2.53\nnotified LR 26 March 2004\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 March 2004 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 2 pt 2.53 commenced 9 April 2004 (s 2 (1))\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 18 Lotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR12\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2007 (No 2) A2007-16 sch 3 pt 3.27\nnotified LR 20 June 2007\ns 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 12 April 2007 (LA s 75 (2))\nsch 3 pt 3.27 commenced 11 July 2007 (s 2 (1))\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2007 (No 3) A2007-39 sch 3 pt 3.23\nnotified LR 6 December 2007\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 December 2007 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.23 commenced 27 December 2007 (s 2)\nUnlawful Gambling Act 2009 A2009-39 sch 2 pt 2.4\nnotified LR 17 November 2009\ns 1, s 2 commenced 17 November 2009 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 2 pt 2.4 commenced 22 March 2010 (s 2 and CN2010-2)\nLotteries (Approvals) Amendment Act 2015 A2015-41\nnotified LR 4 November 2015\ns 1, s 2 commenced 4 November 2015 (LA s 75 (1))\nremainder commenced 5 November 2015 (s 2)\nJustice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2021\nA2021-3 pt 12\nnotified LR 19 February 2021\ns 1, s 2 commenced 19 February 2021 (LA s 75 (1))\npt 12 commenced 26 February 2021 (s 2 (1))\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2022 A2022-14 sch 3 pt 3.27\nnotified LR 10 August 2022\ns 1, s 2 commenced 10 August 2022 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.27 commenced 24 August 2022 (s 2)\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2025 A2025-29 sch 4 pt 4.120\nnotified LR 6 November 2025\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 November 2025 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 4 pt 4.120 commenced 26 December 2025 (s 2 (7))\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR12\n26/12/25\nLotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 19\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n4 Amendment history\nDictionary\ns 2 orig s 2 am A1994-36 sch\nom A2001-44 amdt 1.2709\n(prev s 4) am Ord1984-23\nrenum R3 LA (see A2001-44 amdt 1.2711)\ndefs reloc to dict A2007-16 amdt 3.119\nsub A2007-16 amdt 3.120\ndef determined fee ins A1999-38 s 10\nom A2001-44 amdt 1.2710\nNotes\ns 2A ins A2007-16 amdt 3.120\nWhen lottery taken to be conducted\ns 3 am A1994-36 sch\nom A2001-44 amdt 1.2709\nins A2007-16 amdt 3.120\nApplication\ns 4 (prev s 4A) ins Ord1981-13\nrenum as R3 LA (see A2001-44 amdt 1.2711)\nApplication\ns 4A renum as s 4\nExempt lotteries\ns 6 am Ord1966-19; Ord1982-17; A1994-36 sch; A1996-60 s 4;\nA1999-47 sch; A2001-44 amdts 1.2712-1.2714; ss and pars\nrenum R3 LA (see A2001-44 amdt 1.2715); A2015-41 s 4,\ns 5; ss renum R8 LA; A2022-14 amdt 3.174; A2025-29\namdt 4.121\nExempt lotteries—conditions\ns 6A ins A2015-41 s 6\nam A2025-29 amdt 4.121\nApproval of lotteries\ns 7 am Ord1983-44; A1994-36 sch; A1999-38 s 11; A1999-47 sch;\nA2001-44 amdts 1.2716-1.2718; A2015-41 s 7; ss renum\nR8 LA; A2025-29 amdt 4.121\nVariation of approval\ns 7AA ins A1999-38 s 12\nom A2001-44 amdt 1.2719\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 20 Lotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR12\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nVariation of approval\ns 7A ins Ord1983-44\nam A1999-38 s 13; A1999-47 sch\nsub A2001-44 amdt 1.2719\nam A2025-29 amdt 4.121\nProhibition of certain lotteries etc\ns 8 am Ord1966-19; A1994-36 sch; A1996-60 sch\nAdvertising certain lotteries prohibited\ns 9 am Ord1966-19; A1994-36 sch; A1996-60 sch\nSale of tickets in certain lotteries prohibited\ns 10 am Ord1966-19; A1996-60 sch\nPrinting of tickets for certain lotteries prohibited\ns 11 am Ord1966-19; A1996-60 sch\nProhibition of formation of syndicates for purchase of shares in lotteries\ns 12 am Ord1966-19; A1994-36 sch; A1996-60 sch\nInstant lotteries\ns 12A ins A1994-36 s 4\nAudit\ns 13 am Ord1966-19; A1994-36 sch; A1996-60 sch; A1999-47 sch\nFalsification of books etc\ns 14 am A1994-36 sch; A1996-60 sch\nom A2004-15 amdt 2.116\nMisappropriation of funds or prizes\ns 15 am Ord1966-19; A1994-36 sch; A1996-60 sch; A2022-14\namdt 3.175\nFraudulent drawing etc\ns 16 am Ord1966-19; A1994-36 sch; A1996-60 sch\nUnclaimed prizes\ns 17 am A1994-36 sch; A1996-60 sch; A1999-47 sch\nom A2015-41 s 8\nSupervision of conduct of lottery\ns 18 am Ord1966-19; A1994-36 sch; A1996-60 sch; A1999-47 sch;\nA2022-14 amdt 3.176, amdt 3.177\nProtection of personal information\ns 18AA ins A2015-41 s 9\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR12\n26/12/25\nLotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 21\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDetermination of fees\ns 18A hdg am A1999-47 notes\ns 18A ins Ord1983-44\nam A1999-47 sch\nsub A2001-44 amdt 1.2720\nam A2015-41 s 10; A2021-3 s 28; A2025-29 amdt 4.121\nDelegation\ns 19 am A1994-36 sch; A1999-47 sch\nom A2007-16 amdt 3.121\nRegulation-making power\ns 20 am Ord1989-38 sch 1\nsub A2001-44 amdt 1.2721\nam A2025-29 amdt 4.121\nTransitional provision—certain determinations may be retrospective\ns 21 ins A1999-38 s 14\nom A2001-44 amdt 1.2721\nTransitional—Lotteries (Approvals) Amendment Act 2015\ns 100 ins A2015-41 s 11\nexp 5 November 2016 (s 100 (5))\nRepealed Acts and ordinances\nsch om A2001-44 amdt 1.2722\nDictionary\ndict ins A2007-16 amdt 3.122\nam A2015-41 s 12\ndef approved lottery am A1994-36 sch\nreloc from s 2 A2007-16 amdt 3.119\ndef association am A1996-60 sch\nreloc from s 2 A2007-16 amdt 3.119\ndef commission ins A1999-47 sch\nreloc from s 2 A2007-16 amdt 3.119\ndef exempt lottery ins A2007-16 amdt 3.122\ndef subscriber ins A2015-41 s 13\ndef unlawful game reloc from s 2 A2007-16 amdt 3.119\nam A2007-39 amdt 3.98; A2009-39 amdt 2.7\n\nEndnotes\n5 Earlier republications\npage 22 Lotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR12\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n5 Earlier republications\nSome earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to\nthe publication order.\nSince 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in\nelectronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised\nrepublications have also been published in printed format. These republications are\nmarked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an\nauthorised republication are identical.\nRepublication No Amendments to Republication date\n1 Ord1989-38 31 July 1991\n2 A1996-60 30 April 1997\n3* A2001-44 9 August 2002\n4 A2004-15 9 April 2004\n5 A2007-16 11 July 2007\n6 A2007-39 27 December 2007\n7 A2009-39 22 March 2010\n8 A2015-41 5 November 2015\n9 A2015-41 6 November 2016\n10 A2021-3 26 February 2021\n11 A2022-14 24 August 2022\n\nEndnotes\nExpired transitional or validating provisions 6\nR12\n26/12/25\nLotteries Act 1964\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n6 Expired transitional or validating provisions\nThis Act may be affected by transitional or validating provisions that have expired.\nThe expiry does not affect any continuing operation of the provisions (see\nLegislation Act 2001, s 88 (1)).\nExpired provisions are removed from the republished law when the expiry takes\neffect and are listed in the amendment history using the abbreviation ‘exp’ followed\nby the date of the expiry.\nTo find the expired provisions see the version of this Act before the expiry took\neffect. The ACT legislation register has point-in-time versions of this Act.\n© Australian Capital Territory 2025","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The legislation has expanded significantly from its original 1964 scope. Originally a simple prohibition-and-licensing framework, it has grown to include: detailed regulation of exempt lotteries (section 6A, added 2015), personal information protection requirements (section 18AA, added 2015), specific rules for instant lotteries (section 12A, added 1994), and complex conditions for private and trade lotteries. The 2015 amendments in particular shifted the Act from a purely prohibitory approach to a more nuanced regulatory framework with consumer protection conditions."},"complexity_factors":["Moderate length (23 pages, 20 operative sections)","7 defined terms in the Dictionary, plus reliance on external definitions (e.g., 'unlawful game' references the Unlawful Gambling Act 2009)","Nested conditions in section 6 (exempt lotteries) with multiple sub-paragraphs and cross-references to commission determinations","Conditional logic in section 6A with 8 specific conditions for exempt lotteries plus examples","Multiple penalty provisions with varying maximum penalties (5 to 50 penalty units, some with imprisonment)","Cross-references to other ACT legislation (Legislation Act 2001, Pool Betting Act 1964, Unlawful Gambling Act 2009)","Disallowable instrument provisions allowing delegated legislative power (sections 6(3), 6A(4), 18A(2))","Historical layering - originated as 1964 Commonwealth ordinance, converted to ACT law in 1989, with multiple amendments creating some structural complexity (e.g., renumbered sections, relocated definitions)"],"plain_english_summary":"The Lotteries Act 1964 governs what raffles, draws and prize competitions are legal in the ACT, who may run them, and how they must be conducted. It distinguishes approved lotteries from narrowly defined exemptions (e.g. small community raffles, trade promotions) and gives the Gambling and Racing Commission enforcement powers.\n\nIt protects players and operators by requiring fair, transparent draws, secure handling of personal data, and penalties for rigging or unauthorised conduct."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act’s scope has been expanded since the original ordinance: it now creates an approval regime and Commission oversight for lotteries (s7, s18), introduces statutory exemptions with conditions (s6, s6A), adds privacy and information‑handling obligations (s18AA), and uses disallowable instruments for prize limits and fees (s6(3), s18A(2)). The amendment history in the endnotes shows multiple legislative changes that broaden administrative and regulatory mechanisms."},"complexity_factors":["Layered exemptions and conditional exemptions require careful classification (exempt lotteries and private lottery definitions) (s6, s6A).","Significant administrative discretion for the Commission to grant, refuse or vary approvals and impose conditions (s7(3)–(4), s7A).","Use of disallowable instruments and delegated determinations for prize‑value limits and conditions adds subordinate‑law complexity (s6(3), s6A(3), s18A(2)).","Enforcement and compliance mix criminal penalties, audits and supervisory powers, creating varied legal and operational risks (s8, s13, s18).","Data‑handling obligations for personal information introduce privacy‑compliance requirements alongside gambling rules (s18AA).","Interaction with other statutes and definitions (for example, Unlawful Gambling Act references and many amendment annotations) increases interpretive load (s4, dict).","Extensive amendment and legislative history mean practitioners must track historical changes and current instrument versions (endnotes/legislation history)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Act sets rules for lotteries in the ACT: it defines what counts as a lottery, exempts certain small, private or business-linked promotions, and makes it an offence to run, advertise, sell or print tickets for lotteries unless approved (s5–6, s8–11). The Gambling and Racing Commission decides approvals, may attach conditions, audit and supervise draws, and fees may be imposed (s7, s13, s18, s18A). People running lotteries must keep records, protect winners’ personal information and meet prize‑claim and conduct conditions (s6A, s18AA)."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/lotteries-act-1964","history":"/api/acts/lotteries-act-1964/history","analysis":"/api/acts/lotteries-act-1964/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/lotteries-act-1964/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/lotteries-act-1964/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/lotteries-act-1964/documents"}}