The law creates a comprehensive licensing and regulatory regime for public lotteries: operator and product licences, detailed rules on prize funds and payments, offences and consumer protections (including minors), and broad investigatory and enforcement powers for the Minister.
It primarily affects players (who fund prizes), licensed operators and their agents (who bear compliance, reporting and payment obligations), suppliers to licensees (under controlled‑contract rules) and the State (which receives duties and unclaimed prizes). It matters because it controls market structure, revenue flows and significant ministerial discretion.
The Public Lotteries Act 1996 establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for the conduct of public lotteries in New South Wales. At its core, the Act defines a “public lottery” in s.5 as any lottery, expressly including four categories of games of chance: (a) those in which persons choose or are allocated numbers and prizewinning numbers are drawn at random (for example draw lottery or bingo); (b) those in which prizewinning numbers are pre-designated and participants receive randomly pre-selected numbers (for example instant lottery); (c) those in which participants forecast or choose from designated numbers with fewer numbers drawn (for example lotto, keno or powerball); and (d) soccer football pools based on forecasting match outcomes. Section 5(2) expands “numbers” to include symbols, single numbers, groups, combinations or distributions, while s.5(3) clarifies that a person “chooses” numbers whether personally or by proxy. A separate definition of “keno” was inserted by the 2016 amendments (s.5B) requiring selection of 20 winning numbers from 1 to 80, each draw completed within 24 hours, and sales restricted to licensed club, hotel or casino premises.
The Act’s objects are stated in s.3 (as amended in 2009) as making provision for the proper conduct of public lotteries in the public interest, minimising associated harm, ensuring revenue is properly accounted for, and securing an overall benefit to the State and community. To achieve these objects the Act declares that a public lottery conducted by a licensee is not unlawful (s.6(1)), is not an unlawful game under the Unlawful Gambling Act 1998, and is outside the Community Gaming Act 2018 (s.6(2)). Contracts relating to licensed lotteries are rendered enforceable (s.7), and participants, licensees, agents, printers, publishers and occupiers of premises are exculpated from certain offences provided the lottery is conducted in accordance with the Act, regulations, rules and licence conditions (s.9).
Current sections
Direct links to the current provisions in Public Lotteries Act 1996.
This Act commences on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation.
3
Objects of Act
3 Objects of Act
3 Objects of Act
The objects of this Act are—
(a) to make provision for the proper conduct of public lotteries in the public interest and to minimise any harm associated with public lotteries, and
(b) to ensure that revenue derived from the conduct of public lotteries is accounted for in a proper manner, and
(c) to ensure that, on balance, the State and the community as a whole benefit from the conduct of public lotteries.
s 3: Am 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [1].
4
Definitions
4 Definitions
4 Definitions
(1) In this Act—
agent of a licensee means an agent appointed or approved in accordance with the conditions of the licence held by the licensee.
commission, in relation to a public lottery, means an amount—
(a) paid to, deducted by or retained by an agent in connection with a subscription to the public lottery (whether or not in the person’s capacity as an agent of the licensee conducting the public lottery), and
(b) determined by or in accordance with, and identified as commission in, the conditions of the relevant licence or the rules of the public lottery.
conduct a public lottery includes promote, organise and operate the public lottery.
corresponding law means a law of another State, Territory or country under which a person is authorised to conduct a public lottery.
exercise a function includes perform a duty.
function includes a power, authority or duty.
inspector means a person appointed under section 71.
keno has the meaning set out in section 5B.
key employee means a person (whether or not appointed under a contract of service) who is—
(a) employed in a managerial or supervisory capacity in relation to the conduct of a public lottery by a licensee, or
(b) authorised to make decisions, involving the exercise of his or her discretion, that regulate the operations of a licensee or an agent in relation to the conduct of a public lottery by the licensee, or
(c) concerned or engaged, in any manner prescribed by the regulations, in the conduct of a public lottery by a licensee.
licence means an operator licence or product licence in force under this Act.
licensee means the holder of a licence.
operator licence—see section 10.
outgoings for a public lottery conducted by a licensee means the amount required to be paid by the licensee in accordance with section 26 (1) into the prize fund for the lottery.
player loss on a public lottery conducted by a licensee means the difference between—
(a) the subscriptions to the public lottery and, if the conditions of the licensee’s licence so require, the commission payable in respect of those subscriptions, and
(b) the outgoings for the public lottery.
product licence—see section 10.
public lottery has the meaning set out in section 5.
rules of a public lottery means the rules relating to the conduct of the public lottery in force under Part 4.
subscriptions to a public lottery means the amounts paid for entries in the public lottery, but does not include the following—
(a) amounts charged to subscribers by the licensee’s agents for providing ancillary services in connection with the subscriptions (as referred to in section 13 (1) (e1)),
(b) commission, unless this Act otherwise expressly provides.
Note—
See sections 26 (3), 28 (4) and 29 (6).
symbol includes amount, word or picture.
unclaimed prize means a prize that remains unclaimed by the prizewinner for a period of one year after the date on which the public lottery to which the prize relates was conducted.
Note—
The Interpretation Act 1987 contains definitions and other provisions that affect the interpretation and application of this Act.
(2) Notes in the text of this Act do not form part of this Act.
s 4: Am 2000 No 44, Sch 7 [1]; 2004 No 13, Sch 1 [1]–[3]; 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [2] [3]; 2016 No 18, Sch 1 [1]; 2018 No 7, Sch 1.11 [1].
5
Meaning of “public lottery”
5 Meaning of “public lottery”
5 Meaning of “public lottery”
(1) For the purposes of this Act, public lottery means any lottery, and includes—
(a) a game of chance (including a game such as draw lottery or bingo) in which—
(i) persons choose or are allocated numbers, and
(ii) certain numbers are subsequently selected at random as prizewinning numbers, and
(iii) prizes are distributed to persons holding the prizewinning numbers, or
(b) a game of chance (including a game such as instant lottery) in which—
(i) certain numbers are designated as prizewinning numbers, and
(ii) persons are allocated numbers that have previously been selected at random, and
(iii) prizes are distributed to persons holding the prizewinning numbers, or
(c) a game of chance (including a game such as lotto, keno or powerball) in which persons choose or attempt to forecast, from designated numbers, fewer numbers to be drawn on a random basis, or
(d) the game known as soccer football pool in which persons choose or attempt to forecast, from designated numbers, fewer numbers that represent the outcome of soccer football matches.
(2) For the purposes of this section, numbers includes—
(a) symbols, or
(b) a single number or symbol, or
(c) a group or groups of numbers or of symbols (or of numbers and symbols), or
(d) a combination or combinations of numbers or of symbols (or of numbers and symbols), or
(e) a distribution or distributions of numbers or of symbols (or of numbers and symbols).
(3) For the purposes of this section, a person chooses numbers if the person chooses the numbers personally or if the numbers are chosen for the person.
5A
Meaning of “close associate”
5A Meaning of “close associate”
5A Meaning of “close associate”
(1) For the purposes of this Act, a person is a close associate of another if the person—
(a) holds or will hold any relevant financial interest, or is or will be entitled to exercise any relevant power (whether in his or her own right or on behalf of any other person), in the lottery business of the other person, and by virtue of that interest or power is or will be able (in the opinion of the Minister) to exercise a significant influence over or with respect to the management or operation of that business, or
(b) holds or will hold any relevant position, whether in his or her own right or on behalf of any other person, in the lottery business of the other person.
(2) In this section—
lottery business means the business conducted or to be conducted by a person under the authority of an operator licence.
relevant financial interest, in relation to a business, means—
(a) any share in the capital of the business, or
(b) any entitlement to receive any income derived from the business, or to receive any other financial benefit or financial advantage from the carrying on of the business, whether the entitlement arises at law or in equity or otherwise, or
(c) any entitlement to receive any rent, profit or other income in connection with the use or occupation of premises on which the lottery business of the other person is to be carried on (such as, for example, an entitlement of the owner of premises to receive rent as lessor of the premises).
relevant position means—
(a) the position of director, manager or secretary, or
(b) any other position, however designated, if it is an executive position.
relevant power means any power, whether exercisable by voting or otherwise and whether exercisable alone or in association with others—
(a) to participate in any directorial, managerial or executive decision, or
(b) to elect or appoint any person to any relevant position.
(3) A financial institution is not a close associate for the purposes of this section by reason only of having a relevant financial interest in relation to a business.
s 5A: Ins 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [4].
5B
Meaning of “keno”
5B Meaning of “keno”
5B Meaning of “keno”
(1) For the purposes of this Act, keno means a game of chance that has the following essential features—
(a) the selection of 20 winning numbers from the set of numbers 1 to 80,
(b) each individual draw is conducted and completed within a 24 hour period,
(c) subscriptions are sold only to persons who at the time of sale are on the licensed premises of a club, hotel or casino (regardless of the manner or means of sale).
(2) The sale of a multi-game entry does not commence the individual draws to which the multi-game entry relates (so the requirement that each individual draw is conducted and completed within a 24 hour period does not require the draws to which a multi-game entry relates to be conducted and completed within 24 hours after the sale of the multi-game entry).
(3) In this section—
licensed premises of a club, hotel or casino means—
(a) licensed premises to which a club licence under the Liquor Act 2007 relates, or
(b) licensed premises to which a hotel licence under the Liquor Act 2007 relates, or
s 6: Am 1998 No 113, Sch 2.11 [1] [2]; 2018 No 60, Sch 2.6[1].
7
Contracts or agreements relating to public lotteries enforceable
7 Contracts or agreements relating to public lotteries enforceable
7 Contracts or agreements relating to public lotteries enforceable
(1) An agreement is not to be regarded as void or voidable, or otherwise unenforceable, merely because it relates to, or is made for the purposes of, a public lottery conducted by a licensee.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), section 56 of the Unlawful Gambling Act 1998 does not apply to or in respect of such a public lottery.
s 7: Am 1998 No 113, Sch 2.11 [2] [3].
8
Unlawful conduct of public lottery by licensee
8 Unlawful conduct of public lottery by licensee
8 Unlawful conduct of public lottery by licensee
A licensee who conducts a public lottery is guilty of an offence if—
(a) the licence does not authorise the conduct of that public lottery or public lotteries of that kind, or
(b) the public lottery is conducted in contravention of a requirement of or made under this Act, the regulations, the rules or the conditions of the licence.
Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.
9
Exculpation of certain persons from certain offences
9 Exculpation of certain persons from certain offences
9 Exculpation of certain persons from certain offences
(1) A person is not guilty of an offence under any law merely because—
(a) the person is an entrant in a public lottery conducted by a licensee, or
(b) the person is or acts for a licensee and the person conducts a public lottery in accordance with the requirements of or made under this Act, the regulations, the rules and the conditions of the licensee’s licence, or
(c) in relation to a public lottery conducted by a licensee in the manner referred to in paragraph (b), the person—
(i) is concerned in the conduct of the public lottery, or
(ii) prints or publishes any thing relating to the conduct of the public lottery, or
(iii) is the owner or occupier of any premises used for the purpose of, or in connection with, the conduct of the public lottery, or
(d) the person prints or publishes the results of, or information as to the prize money payable in respect of, a public lottery conducted under a corresponding law.
(2) This section does not affect any offence against this Act.
s 9: Am 1998 No 113, Sch 2.11 [4].
Part 3
Licences to conduct public lotteries
Part 3 Licences to conduct public lotteries
Part 3 Licences to conduct public lotteries
pt 3: Subst 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
Division 1
Grant of licences
Division 1 Grant of licences
Division 1 Grant of licences
pt 3, div 1, hdg: Ins 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
10
Operator licences and product licences
10 Operator licences and product licences
10 Operator licences and product licences
(1) The Minister can grant the following kinds of licences for the purposes of this Act—
(a) an operator licence, which is a licence to conduct any public lottery for which the licensee holds a product licence,
(b) a product licence, which is a licence for a particular public lottery that is issued to the licensee under an operator licence to authorise the licensee to conduct the particular public lottery.
(2) The grant of an operator licence requires the approval of the Treasurer.
(3) A product licence can only be held by the holder of an operator licence.
(4) Both kinds of licence can only be held by a corporation or by 2 or more corporations jointly.
s 10: Am 1999 No 49, Sch 4 [1]. Subst 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
11
Considerations for grant of operator licence
11 Considerations for grant of operator licence
11 Considerations for grant of operator licence
(1) The Minister is not to grant an operator licence to a person (the applicant) unless satisfied that the applicant and each close associate of the applicant is a suitable person to be concerned in or associated with the management and operation of the business (the lottery business) to be conducted under the licence.
(2) For the purpose of determining suitability to be concerned in or associated with the management and operation of a lottery business the Minister is to consider whether—
(a) the applicant and each close associate is of good repute, having regard to character, honesty and integrity, and
(b) the applicant and each close associate is of sound and stable financial background, and
(c) the applicant has, or has arranged, a satisfactory ownership or corporate structure, and
(d) the applicant has or is able to obtain financial resources that are both suitable and adequate for ensuring the financial viability of the lottery business, and
(e) the applicant has or is able to obtain the services of persons who have sufficient experience in the management and operation of a lottery business, and
(f) the applicant has sufficient business ability to establish and maintain a successful lottery business, and
(g) the applicant has sufficient technical expertise and resources to conduct lotteries of the kind to be conducted as part of the lottery business, and
(h) the applicant or any close associate has any business association with any person, body or association who, in the opinion of the Minister, is not of good repute having regard to character, honesty and integrity or has undesirable or unsatisfactory financial sources, and
(i) each director, partner, executive officer and secretary and any other officer or person determined by the Minister to be associated or connected with the ownership, administration or management of the operations of the lottery business of the applicant is a suitable person to act in that capacity.
(3) This section does not limit the matters that the Minister can consider in determining suitability to be concerned in or associated with the management and operation of a lottery business and does not limit the matters that the Minister can consider in deciding whether to grant an operator licence to the applicant.
s 11: Subst 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
12
Considerations for grant of product licence
12 Considerations for grant of product licence
12 Considerations for grant of product licence
(1) The Minister is not to grant a product licence for the conduct of a game as a public lottery unless satisfied that the game is suitable to be conducted as a public lottery.
(2) For the purpose of determining the suitability of a game to be conducted as a public lottery the Minister is to consider—
(a) whether the proposed rules of the game are appropriate and sufficient to ensure the game’s integrity as a public lottery, and
(b) whether the harm minimisation and consumer protection measures proposed for the conduct of the game are appropriate and sufficient for the purposes of the conduct of the game as a public lottery, and
(c) such other matters as the Minister considers relevant.
s 12: Subst 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
13
Police assistance
13 Police assistance
13 Police assistance
(1) The Minister and the Commissioner of Police may enter into arrangements for the supply to the Minister of information contained in the records of the NSW Police Force to assist in the effectual administration of this Part. Those arrangements are sufficient authority for the supply of that information.
(2) The Minister may arrange with the Commissioner of Police for police officers to be seconded or otherwise engaged to assist the Minister in the exercise of functions under this Part.
s 13: Am 2004 No 13, Sch 1 [4] [5]. Subst 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
14
Conditions of licence
14 Conditions of licence
14 Conditions of licence
(1) The Minister may impose any conditions on a licence at the time of its issue.
(2) The Minister may at any time amend the conditions of a licence (by imposing further conditions or by altering or removing existing conditions) but only with the agreement of the licensee. In addition, in the case of an operator licence, the Minister may not amend the conditions of the licence without the approval of the Treasurer.
(3) The agreement of the licensee is not required for an amendment to the conditions of a licence under Division 2 (Disciplinary action).
(4) The approval of the Treasurer must be obtained for the inclusion in a licence (either at the time of issue or by subsequent amendment) of a condition specifying the general duty or licence duty, or both, to be paid by the licensee to the Treasurer in accordance with Part 5.
Note—
Part 5 provides for the inclusion of conditions in the licence relating to the prize fund for a public lottery, and to the payment of duty by the licensee in connection with the grant of the licence and the conduct of the public lottery.
(5) The conditions of a licence must at all times include the conditions specified in Schedule 1 as the mandatory conditions of the licence.
(6) Without limiting the conditions that can be imposed on a licence, any of the conditions specified in Schedule 1 as the optional conditions of a licence can be imposed on a licence.
(7) A licensee may apply to the Minister for an amendment of the conditions of the licence and any such application is to be made and determined in accordance with any relevant conditions of the licence.
ss 14–16: Subst 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
15
Licence fees
15 Licence fees
15 Licence fees
The Minister may require the payment of fees for or in connection with the consideration and determination of an application for the grant or transfer of a licence (including fees to cover reasonable costs incurred in investigating and inquiring into any application or proposal for the grant or transfer of a licence).
ss 14–16: Subst 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
16
Consideration payment for licence
16 Consideration payment for licence
16 Consideration payment for licence
(1) The Minister may, on the occasion of the grant of an operator licence, require the licensee to pay a consideration payment in connection with the grant of the licence.
(2) The Minister may determine that the consideration payment is to be payable wholly in respect of the operator licence or may determine that it is to be apportioned between the operator licence and any one or more of the product licences issued to the licensee when the operator licence is issued.
(3) The Minister may determine that a consideration payment is to be—
(a) a single amount payable on grant of the licence or licences concerned or by a later time determined by the Minister, as consideration for the grant of the licence or licences, or
(b) an amount (or variable amounts) payable periodically for the duration of the licence or licences concerned and at the times determined by the Minister, as consideration for the continuation of the licence or licences.
(4) A requirement or determination of the Minister under this section requires the approval of the Treasurer.
(5) It is a condition of a licence that the licensee must pay any consideration payment that the licensee is required to pay under this section.
(6) A consideration payment paid by a licensee pursuant to a requirement under this section is not recoverable on the grounds of, or on any ground arising from, the surrender, cancellation, suspension or transfer of the licence concerned.
(7) A consideration payment paid to the Minister under this section is to be paid into the Consolidated Fund.
ss 14–16: Subst 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
17
Term of licence
17 Term of licence
17 Term of licence
(1) A licence is granted for the term specified in the licence.
(2) The maximum term for which a licence may be granted is 40 years.
s 17: Am 2001 No 34, Sch 4.49 [1]. Subst 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
18
Exclusive operator licence
18 Exclusive operator licence
18 Exclusive operator licence
(1) An operator licence can, if the Minister thinks fit, be granted as an exclusive licence for any period (the exclusivity period) up to the term for which the licence is granted.
(2) If an operator licence is granted as an exclusive licence, no other operator licence can be granted to be in force during the exclusivity period. This does not affect a licence already in force when the exclusive licence is granted.
(3) The grant of an exclusive licence does not create an exclusivity period for games of keno, with the result that one or more operator licences limited to a product licence for games of keno can be granted to be in force during the exclusivity period.
ss 18–21: Subst 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
19
Transfer of licence
19 Transfer of licence
19 Transfer of licence
(1) A licence can be transferred but only with the approval of the Minister given at the Minister’s absolute discretion. The Minister must consult with the Treasurer before approving the transfer of a licence.
(2) A product licence can only be transferred to the holder of an operator licence.
(3) The Minister is not to approve of the transfer of an operator licence to a person (the transferee) unless satisfied that—
(a) the transferee and each close associate of the transferee is a suitable person to be concerned in or associated with the management and operation of the business to be conducted under the licence, and
(b) there are satisfactory arrangements for the transfer to the transferee of responsibilities for the conduct and completion of any public lottery being conducted at the time of transfer of the licence.
(4) For the purpose of determining whether the transferee or any close associate of the transferee is a suitable person to be concerned in or associated with the management and operation of the business being conducted under the licence, the Minister is to have regard to the same matters to which the Minister is required to have regard in deciding whether an applicant or close associate of an applicant is a suitable person for that purpose.
ss 18–21: Subst 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
20
Changes to ownership structure of licensee
20 Changes to ownership structure of licensee
20 Changes to ownership structure of licensee
(1) A significant change in the ownership structure of a licensee must not occur unless the Minister has given consent in writing for the change to occur.
(2) A significant change in the ownership structure of a licensee is considered to occur when—
(a) a person acquires a relevant interest in issued voting shares in the licensee or any holding company of the licensee and the acquisition results in that person’s, or some other person’s, voting power in the licensee or holding company increasing from 20% or below to more than 20%, or
(b) a person becomes a person who controls, or ceases to be a person who controls, the licensee or any holding company of the licensee.
(3) The regulations may prescribe another percentage to replace 20% in subsection (2).
(4) Words and expressions used in this section that are defined in section 9 of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth have the same meanings as in that section, except in so far as they are defined differently in this Act or the context or subject-matter otherwise indicates or requires.
ss 18–21: Subst 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
21
Surrender of licence
21 Surrender of licence
21 Surrender of licence
(1) A licensee may surrender the licence by giving notice in writing to the Minister. If the licence is held by more than one licensee, all licensees must surrender the licence.
(2) The surrender takes effect only if the Minister consents to the surrender.
ss 18–21: Subst 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
Division 2
Disciplinary action
Division 2 Disciplinary action
Division 2 Disciplinary action
pt 3, div 2: Ins 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
21A
Review of suitability of licensee
21A Review of suitability of licensee
21A Review of suitability of licensee
(1) The Minister may from time to time determine whether in the opinion of the Minister the licensee under an operator licence and each close associate of the licensee remains a suitable person to be concerned in or associated with the management and operation of the business conducted under the licence.
(2) For the purpose of determining whether the licensee or any close associate of the licensee is a suitable person to be concerned in or associated with the management and operation of the business conducted under the licence, the Minister is to have regard to the same matters to which the Minister is required to have regard in deciding whether an applicant or close associate of an applicant is a suitable person for that purpose.
(3) The Minister may require the licensee under an operator licence to pay to the Minister such reasonable costs as may be incurred by or on behalf of the Minister in conducting any inquiry or investigation for the purposes of a determination under this section.
(4) It is a condition of an operator licence that the licensee must—
(a) provide such information (including necessary consents to facilitate the provision of information) as the Minister may reasonably request for the purpose of making a determination under this section, and
(b) pay the costs that the Minister requires the licensee to pay under this section in connection with any inquiry or investigation conducted for the purposes of a determination under this section.
(5) The Minister may recover from a licensee (as a debt due to the Crown) any costs that the Minister has required the licensee to pay under this section.
(6) The Minister may give a certificate as to the amount of the reasonable costs incurred by or on behalf of the Minister in conducting any inquiry or investigation for the purposes of a determination under this section, and such a certificate is in any proceedings evidence of the matter certified.
s 21A: Ins 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
21B
Grounds for disciplinary action against licensee
21B Grounds for disciplinary action against licensee
21B Grounds for disciplinary action against licensee
(1) Each of the following grounds constitutes grounds for disciplinary action against a licensee under this Division—
(a) the licensee or any close associate of the licensee is not a suitable person to be concerned in or associated with the management and operation of the business being conducted under the licence,
(b) the licensee has failed to comply with a provision of this Act or the regulations,
(c) the licensee or any close associate of the licensee has been convicted of an offence under a relevant gaming law,
(d) the licensee or any close associate of the licensee has been convicted in the State or elsewhere of an offence in connection with the management or operation of a public lotteries, gaming or wagering business,
(e) the licensee or any close associate of the licensee has been convicted of an offence in the State that is an indictable offence or has been convicted elsewhere than in the State of an offence that, if committed in the State, would be an indictable offence,
(f) the licensee has failed to comply with the rules of a public lottery conducted by the licensee,
(g) the licensee has failed to comply with a condition of the licence or a direction given to the licensee under Division 2 of Part 7,
(h) a significant change in the ownership structure of the licensee (as referred to in section 20) occurs without the consent in writing of the Minister as required by that section,
(i) the licensee has failed to use reasonable endeavours to ensure that the licensee’s agents comply with this Act, the regulations and any direction given by the Minister under Division 2 of Part 7,
(j) the licensee has entered into or authorised a dealing with or in respect of securities of, or other instruments issued by, the licensee without the consent in writing of the Minister that, in the opinion of the Minister, affects the control of the licensee,
(k) the licensee has become insolvent or an externally-administered body corporate within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of the Commonwealth,
(l) the licensee has failed to promptly terminate the employment of a person concerned in the management of the licensee who is convicted of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty,
(m) the licence was granted as a result of a material false or misleading representation or declaration.
Note—
Division 2 of Part 7 enables the Minister to give directions to licensees and other persons engaged in the conduct of public lotteries on a licensee’s behalf to protect the integrity of public lotteries and to require the termination of arrangements between licensees and agents and the employment of key employees of licensees for a similar purpose.
(2) For the purpose of determining whether the licensee or any close associate of the licensee is a suitable person to be concerned in or associated with the management and operation of the business being conducted under the licence, the Minister is to have regard to the same matters to which the Minister is required to have regard in deciding whether an applicant or close associate of an applicant is a suitable person for that purpose.
(3) In this section—
relevant gaming law means any of the following laws—
(e) any other law (including any law of another State or Territory or of another country) that is prescribed by the regulations as a relevant gaming law for the purposes of this definition.
s 21B: Ins 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5]. Am 2018 No 60, Sch 2.6[2].
21C
Disciplinary action
21C Disciplinary action
21C Disciplinary action
(1) The Minister can take any of the following disciplinary actions against a licensee if satisfied that there are grounds for disciplinary action against the licensee under this Division—
(a) suspend or cancel the licence (but only if there is a sufficient ground for the suspension or cancellation as provided by this Division),
(b) amend the conditions of the licence to deal with any act, omission or other circumstance that constitutes a ground for disciplinary action,
(c) impose a monetary penalty on the licensee of an amount not exceeding $250,000,
(d) direct the licensee to rectify a matter that relates to any act, omission or other circumstance that constitutes a ground for disciplinary action,
(e) censure the licensee for any act, omission or other circumstance that constitutes a ground for disciplinary action.
(2) A direction to rectify a matter must direct that the matter be rectified within a specified period that is reasonable in the circumstances having regard to the nature of the matter to be rectified.
(3) The Minister is not to suspend or cancel a licence except with the approval of the Treasurer.
(4) A monetary penalty imposed under this section may be recovered as a debt due to the Crown in a court of competent jurisdiction.
ss 21C–21I: Ins 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
21D
Sufficient grounds for suspension or cancellation of licence
21D Sufficient grounds for suspension or cancellation of licence
21D Sufficient grounds for suspension or cancellation of licence
A ground for disciplinary action is a sufficient ground for the suspension or cancellation of a licence if (and only if) the Minister is satisfied that—
(a) the act, omission or other circumstance constituting the ground for disciplinary action is of a serious and fundamental nature and the integrity of the conduct of a public lottery may be jeopardised in a material way or the public interest may be adversely affected in a material way, or
(b) the ground for disciplinary action is failure by the licensee to pay any duty payable by the licensee under Division 2 of Part 5.
ss 21C–21I: Ins 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
21E
Procedure for taking disciplinary action
21E Procedure for taking disciplinary action
21E Procedure for taking disciplinary action
(1) Before taking disciplinary action, the Minister must first follow the show cause procedure provided for by this Division and then decide whether there is a sufficient ground for the taking of the proposed disciplinary action.
(2) The Minister is not required to follow the show cause procedure before—
(a) immediately suspending the licence as authorised by this Division, or
(b) censuring a licensee for any act, omission or other circumstance that constitutes a ground for disciplinary action.
(3) If the licensee fails to comply with a direction (imposed as disciplinary action) to rectify a matter within the period allowed for compliance, the Minister may take any other disciplinary action that the Minister could have taken in respect of the ground for disciplinary action concerned (without again following the show cause procedure for that other disciplinary action).
(4) The Minister takes disciplinary action by giving notice of the action to the licensee concerned.
(5) Disciplinary action takes effect when notice of it is given to the licensee or on such later date as may be specified in the notice of disciplinary action.
(6) The Minister may at any time by notice in writing to the licensee under a suspended licence cancel the remaining period of suspension or reduce the remaining period of suspension by a stated period.
ss 21C–21I: Ins 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
21F
Immediate suspension of licence
21F Immediate suspension of licence
21F Immediate suspension of licence
(1) The Minister may suspend a licence immediately if the Minister considers there is a sufficient ground for the suspension or cancellation of the licence and the circumstances are so extraordinary that it is imperative to suspend the licence immediately to ensure that the integrity of the conduct of a public lottery is not jeopardised in a material way or the public interest is not adversely affected in a material way.
(2) An immediate suspension is effected by giving written notice of the suspension (a suspension notice) to the licensee and then following the show cause procedure provided for by this Division.
(3) The suspension takes effect when the suspension notice is given and continues to have effect until the show cause procedure is completed.
ss 21C–21I: Ins 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
21G
Show cause procedure
21G Show cause procedure
21G Show cause procedure
(1) The following procedure is the show cause procedure for proposed disciplinary action under this Division—
(a) the Minister must give the licensee a show cause notice that requires the licensee to show why the proposed disciplinary action should not be taken,
(b) the Minister must promptly give each interested person a copy of the show cause notice,
(c) the Minister must consider all written representations made during the show cause period by the licensee or any interested person to whom a copy of the show cause notice is given.
(2) A show cause notice must indicate the following—
(a) the disciplinary action that the Minister proposes to take,
(b) the ground for the proposed disciplinary action and the act, omission or other circumstance constituting the ground for the proposed action,
(c) the period (the show cause period) within which the licensee must show why the proposed disciplinary action should not be taken.
(3) The show cause period is to be a period of not less than 21 days after the show cause notice is given.
(4) An interested person is a person who appears to the Minister to have an interest in the licence that may be adversely affected by the proposed disciplinary action. An interested person is only to be given a copy of the show cause notice if the Minister is satisfied that it is appropriate in the circumstances.
(5) In considering whether it is appropriate to give a copy of the show cause notice to an interested person, the matters to which the Minister may have regard include the following—
(a) the nature of the person’s interest in the licence,
(b) whether the licensee’s interests may be improperly prejudiced.
(6) An interested person to whom a copy of the show cause notice is given may make representations about the proposed disciplinary action to the Minister during the show cause period.
ss 21C–21I: Ins 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
21H
Withdrawal of approval or appointment of agent under conditions of licence
21H Withdrawal of approval or appointment of agent under conditions of licence
21H Withdrawal of approval or appointment of agent under conditions of licence
(1) The Minister may withdraw the approval or appointment of an agent of a licensee under the conditions of a licence if the Minister is of the opinion that the integrity or apparent integrity of a public lottery conducted by the licensee is likely to be seriously prejudiced because of the criminal record, character or reputation of the agent.
(2) An agent ceases to be an agent of the licensee if the approval or appointment is so withdrawn, and any arrangement under which the agent was appointed as the agent of the licensee is taken to be terminated.
(3) The Minister is not to withdraw the approval or appointment unless the Minister—
(a) has given the licensee and the agent notice, in writing, of the proposed withdrawal, and
(b) has invited the licensee and the agent to make representations to the Minister, within the period specified in the notice, concerning the proposed withdrawal, and
(c) has, after the end of that period, considered any representations so made.
(4) The withdrawal of the approval or appointment takes effect—
(a) on the day that is 14 days after the day on which a notice advising the licensee and the agent of the withdrawal is given to the licensee and the agent by the Minister, or
(b) if a later day is specified in the notice—on that day.
(5) It is taken to be a condition of any arrangement under which a person is appointed as an agent of a licensee that, in the event of the termination of the arrangement because of the withdrawal of an approval or appointment under this section, the licensee does not incur any liability to the agent by reason only of that termination (except to the extent agreed on between the licensee and the agent).
ss 21C–21I: Ins 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
21I
Completion of public lottery following cancellation or suspension of licence
21I Completion of public lottery following cancellation or suspension of licence
21I Completion of public lottery following cancellation or suspension of licence
(1) If a licence is suspended or cancelled, the Minister may authorise a person to complete the conduct of any game in a public lottery that was in the course of being conducted when the licence was suspended or cancelled.
(2) In that event—
(a) the person so authorised is taken to be the licensee under the suspended or cancelled licence, and
(b) the suspended or cancelled licence is, for the purposes of enabling the completion of the conduct of the public lottery, taken not to have been suspended or cancelled.
ss 21C–21I: Ins 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
Division 3
Temporary licences
Division 3 Temporary licences
Division 3 Temporary licences
pt 3, div 3 (ss 21J, 21K): Ins 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
21J
Grant of temporary licence on suspension, cancellation or surrender of licence
21J Grant of temporary licence on suspension, cancellation or surrender of licence
21J Grant of temporary licence on suspension, cancellation or surrender of licence
(1) Following the suspension, cancellation or surrender of a licence (the original licence), the Minister may grant a temporary licence to be in force for the period determined by the Minister.
(2) The Minister may grant a temporary licence only if satisfied that the proposed licensee and each close associate of the proposed licensee is a suitable person to be concerned in or associated with the management and operation of the business to be conducted under the licence.
(3) A temporary licence is granted on such terms and conditions as the Minister determines and Division 1 does not apply to a temporary licence.
(4) A temporary licence—
(a) may be extended once only for a period determined by the Minister, and
(b) may be cancelled at any time by the Minister, and
(c) if granted following the suspension of the original licence, is cancelled by the lifting or expiry of that suspension.
(5) If a temporary licence (including a temporary licence granted under this subsection) is cancelled or otherwise terminates (other than under subsection (4) (c)), the Minister may grant a further temporary licence under this section.
(6) The cumulative periods for which a temporary licence may be granted or extended under this section cannot exceed 3 years after the day on which the original licence was cancelled, suspended or surrendered.
pt 3, div 3 (ss 21J, 21K): Ins 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
21K
Arrangements with former licensee
21K Arrangements with former licensee
21K Arrangements with former licensee
(1) A temporary licensee may enter into any arrangements that are approved by the Minister with the former licensee, including arrangements relating to the use of assets and services of staff of the former licensee.
(2) The former licensee—
(a) must make available to the temporary licensee on reasonable terms any assets of, or under the control of, the former licensee that are reasonably necessary for arrangements under subsection (1), and
(b) must use its best endeavours to make available any staff of the former licensee that are reasonably necessary for those arrangements.
Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.
(3) In this section—
former licensee means the person who was a licensee—
(a) under the original licence immediately before its cancellation, suspension or surrender, or
(b) under a temporary licence immediately before its cancellation or other termination.
pt 3, div 3 (ss 21J, 21K): Ins 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
Division 4
Special provision for keno licensing
Division 4 Special provision for keno licensing
Division 4 Special provision for keno licensing
pt 3, div 4 (ss 21L–21P): Ins 2016 No 18, Sch 1 [3].
21L
Definitions
21L Definitions
21L Definitions
In this Division—
existing keno licence means the licence in force under this Act in respect of games of keno immediately before the commencement of this Division.
new keno licence means a licence granted by the Minister as provided by section 21N.
pt 3, div 4 (ss 21L–21P): Ins 2016 No 18, Sch 1 [3].
21M
Authority for Minister to enter into keno licensing arrangements
21M Authority for Minister to enter into keno licensing arrangements
21M Authority for Minister to enter into keno licensing arrangements
(1) The Minister is authorised, on behalf of the Crown in right of the State—
(a) to accept the offer made in the tabled copy of the deed poll to enter into the deed set out in the annexure to that deed poll, which is titled and referred to in this Division as the Implementation Deed, and
(b) to enter into the Implementation Deed.
(2) The tabled copy of the deed poll is the copy of the deed poll executed on 22 December 2015 as tabled, by or on behalf of the Minister introducing the Bill for the Public Lotteries Amendment (Keno Licensing) Act 2016, in the Legislative Assembly on the day that the Bill was introduced.
(3) The reference in this section to the offer made in the tabled copy of the deed poll includes that offer as extended by any supplementary deed poll to the extent that the supplementary deed poll extends the time by which any condition precedent referred to in the tabled copy of the deed may be satisfied.
(4) For the avoidance of doubt, it is declared that the Minister and the Treasurer are (and are taken always to have been) authorised on behalf of the Crown in right of the State—
(a) to conduct negotiations with the other parties to the Implementation Deed in connection with that deed and the grant of the new keno licences (including in relation to the consideration payable to the Crown for any such grant), and
(b) to exercise any function under this Act for or in connection with the entry into and performance of obligations arising under the Implementation Deed.
(5) The tabling of the tabled copy of the deed poll as provided by this section does not abrogate, limit or otherwise affect any right or liability of any person arising under or in relation to the deed poll or the Implementation Deed after it comes into force.
pt 3, div 4 (ss 21L–21P): Ins 2016 No 18, Sch 1 [3].
21N
Grant of new keno licences
21N Grant of new keno licences
21N Grant of new keno licences
(1) The Minister is to grant an operator licence and product licence (each a new keno licence) as required to satisfy the conditions precedent of the Implementation Deed.
(2) A new keno licence is deemed to have been granted under section 10 but the grant of a new keno licence does not require the approval of the Treasurer and sections 11 and 12 do not apply to the grant of the licence.
(3) Section 16 (Consideration payment for licence) applies to the grant of a new keno licence.
(4) A new keno licence is to be granted as required by this section even though the existing keno licence is in force when the new keno licence is granted.
pt 3, div 4 (ss 21L–21P): Ins 2016 No 18, Sch 1 [3].
21O
Revocation of existing keno licence
21O Revocation of existing keno licence
21O Revocation of existing keno licence
(1) The existing keno licence is revoked immediately before the commencement time under the new keno licences. The commencement time under the new keno licences is the time from which the licensee under the new keno licences is authorised to conduct games of keno under those licences.
(2) Any agreement (an existing keno agency agreement) that provides for a person to act as the agent of the licensee under the existing keno licence in connection with the conduct of a public lottery and that is in force immediately before the revocation of the existing keno licence continues in force after the existing keno licence is revoked and is not affected by the revocation of that licence (but without affecting any later variation or termination of the agreement).
(3) A reference in an existing keno agency agreement to the existing keno licence is, after the revocation of the existing keno licence, to be read as a reference to the new keno licences.
(4) Compensation is not payable by or on behalf of the State because of the revocation of the existing keno licence under this section, or for any consequence of the revocation of that licence under this section.
pt 3, div 4 (ss 21L–21P): Ins 2016 No 18, Sch 1 [3].
21P
Savings and transitional arrangements
21P Savings and transitional arrangements
21P Savings and transitional arrangements
(1) The rules for the conduct of games of keno that are in force under the existing keno licence immediately before the revocation of that licence continue in force as the rules made and approved under this Act for the conduct of games of keno under a new keno licence (but without affecting any later amendment of those rules).
(2) The prize fund kept for the purposes of Division 1 of Part 5 by the licensee under the existing keno licence becomes and is taken to be the prize fund kept for that purpose by the licensee under a new keno licence.
(3) Any approval in force under this Act in respect of the existing keno licence immediately before the revocation of that licence is taken to have been given in respect of a new keno licence for which the approval has any relevant operation.
(4) A game of keno being conducted under the existing keno licence immediately before the revocation of that licence is to be continued and completed under a new keno licence.
pt 3, div 4 (ss 21L–21P): Ins 2016 No 18, Sch 1 [3].
Part 4
Rules for conduct of public lotteries
Part 4 Rules for conduct of public lotteries
Part 4 Rules for conduct of public lotteries
22
Making of rules
22 Making of rules
22 Making of rules
(1) A licensee is required to make rules, not inconsistent with this Act, the regulations or the conditions of the licensee’s licence, for or with respect to the conduct by the licensee of the public lottery.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the rules may make provision as to the liability of a licensee, agent or other person acting under the authority or on behalf of a licensee in connection with the following—
(a) the handling of applications for subscriptions to a public lottery,
(b) the printing and issue of tickets in a public lottery,
(c) the determination of the entitlement (if any) of a subscriber to a prize in a public lottery,
(d) the payment of prizes in, or the refund of money subscribed to, a public lottery.
(3) The power to make rules under this section includes power to amend or repeal any rules made in the exercise of that power.
23
Approval and publication of rules
23 Approval and publication of rules
23 Approval and publication of rules
(1) Rules made under this Part must be submitted to the Minister for approval and have no effect unless they are approved in writing by the Minister.
(1A) The Minister is required to decide whether to approve an amendment of rules in a timely manner and so as to give effect to any condition of the relevant product licence as to the time within which such a decision is to be made.
(2) If the rules are so approved, the licensee must cause the rules to be published in the Gazette.
(3) Rules take effect—
(a) on and from the day on which they are published in the Gazette, or
(b) if a later day is specified in the rules—on and from that day.
s 23: Am 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [6].
24
Display of rules
24 Display of rules
24 Display of rules
(1) A licensee or agent who accepts entries in a public lottery must—
(a) display a complete copy of the rules of the public lottery in a prominent position at each place where those entries are accepted, or
(b) make available a complete copy of the rules of the public lottery for inspection by any person free of charge on request.
(2) If the Minister so directs a licensee, the licensee or agent of the licensee must also display an extract of the rules approved by the Minister in a prominent position at each place where entries in the public lottery are accepted.
(3) A licensee or agent who, in accordance with this section, displays an extract only of the rules of a public lottery at any place must keep a complete copy of those rules at that place and must produce them for inspection by any person free of charge on request.
Maximum penalty—10 penalty units.
24A
Display of notice that minors prohibited from entering lottery
24A Display of notice that minors prohibited from entering lottery
24A Display of notice that minors prohibited from entering lottery
A licensee or agent must display a notice to the effect that persons under 18 years of age are prohibited from entering a public lottery in a prominent position at the place where entries are accepted at the time the licensee or agent accepts any entry in a public lottery.
Maximum penalty—10 penalty units.
s 24A: Ins 1999 No 49, Sch 4 [2].
25
Rules inconsistent with Act
25 Rules inconsistent with Act
25 Rules inconsistent with Act
If a rule becomes inconsistent with this Act, the regulations or the conditions of a licence (because of amendment of this Act or the regulations or alteration of the conditions of the licence), the rule ceases to have effect to the extent of the inconsistency.
Part 5
Financial provisions relating to public lotteries
Part 5 Financial provisions relating to public lotteries
Part 5 Financial provisions relating to public lotteries
25A
Separate prize funds
25A Separate prize funds
25A Separate prize funds
A separate prize fund is to be kept in respect of a licensee for each kind of public lottery that the licensee is licensed to conduct.
s 25A: Ins 2004 No 13, Sch 1 [6].
26
Application of subscriptions to prize fund
26 Application of subscriptions to prize fund
26 Application of subscriptions to prize fund
(1) Out of the subscriptions received by a licensee in respect of a public lottery conducted by the licensee, the licensee must pay into the prize fund for the lottery an amount that, when added to any amount already applied by the licensee or the licensee’s agents to the payment of prizes won in the lottery, is not less than the requisite percentage of the subscriptions for the lottery.
(2) The requisite percentage is the percentage specified in the conditions of the licence.
(3) In this section, a reference to subscriptions includes, if the conditions of the licence so require, a reference to commission payable in respect of those subscriptions.
s 26: Am 2004 No 13, Sch 1 [7].
27
Prize fund account
27 Prize fund account
27 Prize fund account
(1) A prize fund for a public lottery kept in respect of a licensee is to be kept in an account in a bank, building society or credit union that is nominated or approved by the Minister.
(2) Payments under this Division are to be made in accordance with the conditions of the licence or section 27A (Unclaimed prizes).
(3) A licensee may draw on the prize fund—
(a) in order to apply money from the fund in accordance with subsection (8), or
(b) in order to make payments in respect of unclaimed prizes or disputed money as authorised or required by or under subsection (9) or section 27A (Unclaimed prizes),
unless the Minister has by notice in writing directed the bank, building society or credit union at which the prize fund is kept not to accommodate drawings by the licensee on the fund.
(4) If the Minister has so directed a bank, building society or credit union, the Minister may draw on the prize fund—
(a) in order to enable the completion of a public lottery to which the fund relates that has been commenced by the licensee, or
(b) in order to apply money from the fund in accordance with subsection (8) (c) towards the reimbursement of the licensee, or
(c) in order to make payments in respect of unclaimed prizes or disputed money, as authorised or required by or under subsection (9) or section 27A (Unclaimed prizes), that the licensee is unable to make from the fund because of the direction.
(5) Money for the time being credited to a prize fund and not immediately required for the payment of prizes may be invested in such manner as the licensee concerned requests and the Minister approves in writing.
(6) The proceeds of an investment, or of any realisation of an investment, under subsection (5) must be paid into the relevant prize fund and form part of the fund.
(7) At the request of the licensee, investments made from the prize fund are to be realised (unless there are special circumstances that warrant not doing so).
(8) Apart from investment under subsection (5), money forming part of a prize fund may be applied only—
(a) towards the payment by the licensee or the licensee’s agents of prizes won in a public lottery in respect of which the fund is kept, and
(a1) towards the payment of contributions by the licensee to prizes won in a public lottery conducted pursuant to an agreement entered into by the licensee under section 37A, and
(b) towards the payment, from a prize reserve fund located within the prize fund in accordance with the conditions of the licence, of the amounts specified to be paid from the prize reserve fund by the conditions of the licence, and
(c) to the extent that the conditions of the licence require any subsidy of the prize fund by the licensee—towards the reimbursement of the licensee, and
(d) towards payment of such costs for operating the prize fund as the Minister approves in writing, and
(e) in the case of a licence that is no longer in force—in accordance with regulations under subsection (10).
(9) The regulations may make provision for or with respect to the disposal of money as to which any dispute has arisen.
(10) The regulations may make provision for or with respect to the disposal by the Minister of any money in a prize fund (being money that is not required for payment of prizes won in a public lottery) when a licence is no longer in force.
s 27: Am 2004 No 13, Sch 1 [8]–[12]; 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [7]–[10].
27A
Unclaimed prizes
27A Unclaimed prizes
27A Unclaimed prizes
(1) The regulations may make provision for or with respect to the time within which claims for unclaimed prizes must be made.
(2) Unclaimed prizes in a prize fund kept by a licensee are to be paid into the Consolidated Fund as directed by the Minister with the approval of the Treasurer and after consultation with the licensee.
(3) After an unclaimed prize is paid into the Consolidated Fund any liability to pay the prize to the prize winner becomes a liability of the Crown and payment of the prize to the prize winner is authorised to be made from the Consolidated Fund.
s 27A: Ins 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [11].
28
Payment of general duty
28 Payment of general duty
28 Payment of general duty
(1) Out of the subscriptions received by a licensee in respect of public lotteries conducted by the licensee, the licensee must pay to the Treasurer, as general duty, an amount equal to a requisite percentage of—
(a) the subscriptions for those public lotteries, or
(b) the player loss on those public lotteries,
as determined by the conditions of the licence.
(2) The requisite percentage is the percentage specified in the conditions of the licence.
(3) A licensee must, within 7 days after the day on which entries in respect of a public lottery close, or within such other period as the Treasurer may determine, pay to the Treasurer the general duty required by this section in respect of those public lotteries.
(4) In this section, a reference to subscriptions includes, if the conditions of the licence so require, a reference to commission payable in respect of those subscriptions.
s 28: Am 2000 No 44, Sch 7 [2].
29
Payment of licence duty
29 Payment of licence duty
29 Payment of licence duty
(1) If the conditions of a licence so require, a licensee must also pay to the Treasurer, as licence duty for the licence, an amount determined in accordance with the conditions of the licence.
(2) Different amounts may be determined for licences for different public lotteries.
(3) An aggregate amount may be determined for several public lotteries conducted under the same licence or under different licences held by the same licensee.
(4) The amount determined may (but need not) be—
(a) a flat or periodic amount, or
(b) a percentage of the subscriptions received by the licensee in respect of public lotteries conducted by the licensee, or
(c) a percentage of the player loss on the public lotteries conducted by the licensee.
(5) A licensee must, within the period specified in the conditions of the licence, or within such other period as the Treasurer may determine, pay to the Treasurer the licence duty required by this section in respect of the licence.
(6) In this section, a reference to subscriptions includes, if the conditions of the licence so require, a reference to commission payable in respect of those subscriptions.
s 29: Am 2000 No 44, Sch 7 [3].
30
Additional duty because of non-payment
30 Additional duty because of non-payment
30 Additional duty because of non-payment
(1) If payment of general duty or licence duty is not made by the due date, the licensee must, in addition to that duty, pay to the Treasurer, as additional general duty or licence duty, an amount that is equal to the requisite percentage of the amount of the unpaid duty in respect of each month, calculated from the due date, during which that duty remains unpaid.
(2) The requisite percentage is 10 per cent or, if another percentage is specified by the conditions of the licence, the percentage so specified.
(3) Despite subsection (1), the Treasurer may, if the Treasurer thinks fit, forgo the whole or any part of any additional duty, or allow further time for the payment of any additional duty.
31
Payment of duty into Consolidated Fund
31 Payment of duty into Consolidated Fund
31 Payment of duty into Consolidated Fund
The Treasurer must pay any money paid to the Treasurer as duty under this Division into the Consolidated Fund.
32
32
32 (Repealed)
33
Sharing of duty with participating areas
33 Sharing of duty with participating areas
33 Sharing of duty with participating areas
(1) In this section, participating area, in relation to any class or description of public lotteries, means any State, Territory or country declared under subsection (2) to be a participating area for the purposes of this section in relation to public lotteries of that class or description.
(2) The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, declare to be a participating area for the purposes of this section any State, Territory or country in which it is lawful to conduct public lotteries of any class or description under this Act.
(3) Out of any duty received by the Treasurer under this Division, the Treasurer may, in respect of a participating area, pay in accordance with subsection (4) such proportion as the Treasurer may from time to time determine of—
(a) so much of the duty as, in the opinion of the Treasurer, was paid to the Treasurer in respect of—
(i) subscriptions paid to any person in that participating area, being subscriptions to any public lottery in respect of which the area concerned is a participating area, or
(ii) player loss incurred in relation to a person who subscribed to the lottery in a participating area, and
(b) any additional duty that, in the opinion of the Treasurer, was paid to the Treasurer and is attributable to the late payment of the portion of any duty referred to in paragraph (a).
(4) Nothing in subsection (3) prevents the Treasurer, in respect of a participating area, from determining to pay the whole of the duty referred to in subsection (3) (a) and the whole of any additional duty referred to in subsection (3) (b).
(5) Any payment that may be made under subsection (3) in respect of a participating area must be made to such person, on behalf of the State, Territory or country that is the participating area, as the Minister considers appropriate.
(6) Any payment that may be made under or in accordance with subsections (3) and (5) may be made without further authority than those subsections.
s 33: Am 2000 No 44, Sch 7 [4].
34
Sport and Recreation Fund—soccer football pool duty
34 Sport and Recreation Fund—soccer football pool duty
34 Sport and Recreation Fund—soccer football pool duty
(1) There is established in the Special Deposits Account an account to be called the Sport and Recreation Fund.
(2) There is to be paid, without further appropriation than this Act, into the Sport and Recreation Fund out of the Consolidated Fund in each financial year an amount equal to two-thirds of the amount of the duty and additional duty paid to the Treasurer under this Part in respect of soccer football pools.
(3) If any money is paid to the Treasurer under section 33 (3) pursuant to an arrangement with a participating area under that section, that money is, for the purposes of subsection (2), taken to be paid to the Treasurer as duty or additional duty.
(4) The money paid to the Sport and Recreation Fund under subsection (2) and the Totalizator Act 1997 must be used to support and develop, by way of grant or loan, those sporting and recreational facilities and services within the State that are approved by the Minister administering the Sporting Bodies’ Loans Guarantee Act 1977.
(5) Any interest payable on a loan made under subsection (4), and any repayment of the principal of such a loan, is to be paid into the Sport and Recreation Fund.
s 34: Am 1997 No 45, Sch 1.3.
35
False statements as to revenue
35 False statements as to revenue
35 False statements as to revenue
A person who, with respect to subscriptions received or other revenue derived from conducting a public lottery, furnishes or makes to an inspector or other person exercising a function under this Act a report, return or statement that the person knows is false or misleading in a material particular is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty—100 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years, or both.
36
Recovery of money
36 Recovery of money
36 Recovery of money
(1) An amount that is payable by a person to the Treasurer under this Act but is not paid may be recovered from the person as a debt due to the Crown in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(2) For the purpose of an action to recover an amount referred to in this section, a certificate of the Treasurer certifying the amount alleged to be payable by a person and that the amount has not been paid is evidence that the amount so specified is payable to the Treasurer in accordance with this Act and has not been paid.
Part 6
Other provisions relating to public lotteries
Part 6 Other provisions relating to public lotteries
Part 6 Other provisions relating to public lotteries
37
Special provision relating to appointment of statutory authorities as agents
37 Special provision relating to appointment of statutory authorities as agents
37 Special provision relating to appointment of statutory authorities as agents
(1) A statutory authority may be appointed as an agent of a licensee.
(2) A statutory authority that is appointed as an agent is, to the extent that it is not otherwise authorised to do so, authorised to do anything that is necessary or expedient to be done by the statutory authority as agent by or under the authority of this Act, the regulations, the rules or the conditions of a licence.
(3) In this section, statutory authority includes—
(a) a person holding or occupying a particular office or position under any Act or law, or
(b) a body, whether incorporated or unincorporated, constituted by or under any Act or law (including a State owned corporation).
37A
Agreements with lotteries authorities of other jurisdictions
37A Agreements with lotteries authorities of other jurisdictions
37A Agreements with lotteries authorities of other jurisdictions
(1) A licensee may, on such terms as are approved by the Minister, enter into an agreement with a lotteries authority of another jurisdiction with respect to—
(a) the administration of a scheme for the conduct of public lotteries among participating jurisdictions, and
(b) the manner of making payments to and by the licensee, and
(c) related matters.
(2) In this section—
another jurisdiction means another State, a Territory or another country.
lotteries authority means a person or body who is authorised to conduct public lotteries in another jurisdiction.
participating jurisdiction means New South Wales and any other jurisdiction in which a lotteries authority that is a party to an agreement with a licensee under this section is authorised to conduct public lotteries.
s 37A: Ins 2004 No 13, Sch 1 [13]. Subst 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [13].
38
Publicity concerning prizewinners
38 Publicity concerning prizewinners
38 Publicity concerning prizewinners
(1) A licensee who publishes, or causes to be published, the identity of a person who claims a prize in a public lottery and has requested anonymity is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.
(2) The regulations may prescribe the manner in which an entrant in a public lottery may request anonymity.
(3) A person may at any time revoke a request for anonymity.
(4) This section does not prevent a licensee from publishing, or causing to be published, the venue or geographic location at which a prizewinning ticket was sold and the amount of a prize won.
39
Advertising of public lotteries
39 Advertising of public lotteries
39 Advertising of public lotteries
(1) A licensee or other person who publishes, or causes to be published, any public lottery advertising that—
(a) is false, misleading or deceptive, or
(b) is in contravention of any requirement of the regulations,
is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.
(1A) A court that finds a person guilty of an offence under this section may, in addition or as an alternative to any penalty that it may impose for the offence, make either or both of the following orders—
(a) an order requiring the person to publish an advertisement correcting any information contained in the public lottery advertising concerned that the court is satisfied is false, misleading or deceptive and giving directions (if any) that the court considers appropriate as to the time, form, extent and manner of publication,
(b) an order requiring any one or more of—
(i) the person, or
(ii) if the person is a corporation, a director of the corporation or a person concerned in the management of the corporation, or
(iii) an employee of the person (including a key employee),
to undertake any specified course of training that the court considers will promote responsible practices in the conduct of public lotteries by the person.
(1B) A person who, without lawful excuse, fails to comply with an order under this section is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.
(2) The regulations may provide for the Minister or other person to grant exemptions from a regulation made under subsection (1) (b).
(3) In this section—
public lottery advertising means advertising that is directly related to the conduct of a public lottery.
publication includes dissemination of any kind, whether effected by oral, visual, written, electronic or other means (for example, dissemination by means of cinema, video, radio or television).
s 39: Am 1999 No 49, Sch 4 [3]; 2002 No 53, Sch 2.23.
39A
Direct payment of prizes by agent
39A Direct payment of prizes by agent
39A Direct payment of prizes by agent
The rules may make provision for a licensee to authorise an agent of the licensee to pay a prize won in a public lottery conducted by the licensee, being a prize that does not exceed the amount prescribed by the regulations in relation to the lottery.
s 39A: Ins 2004 No 13, Sch 1 [14].
40
Betting syndicates
40 Betting syndicates
40 Betting syndicates
(1A) A licensee may, for fee or reward, promote or take part in the formation of a syndicate for the purpose of purchasing an entry in, or subscribing to, a public lottery conducted by the licensee.
(1) The rules may make provision for a licensee to authorise an agent of the licensee, for fee or reward, to promote or take part in the formation of a syndicate for the purpose of purchasing an entry in, or subscribing to, a public lottery conducted by the licensee.
s 40: Am 2004 No 13, Sch 1 [15].
41
Unauthorised betting syndicates prohibited
41 Unauthorised betting syndicates prohibited
41 Unauthorised betting syndicates prohibited
(1) A person who, for fee or reward, promotes or takes part in the formation of a syndicate for the purpose of purchasing an entry in, or subscribing to, a public lottery conducted by a licensee is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.
(2) This section does not apply to—
(a) any person who is authorised by the rules to so promote or take part in the formation of a syndicate, but only in relation to such promotion or participation by the person that is in accordance with the rules, or
(b) the licensee conducting the public lottery concerned.
s 41: Am 2004 No 13, Sch 1 [16].
42
Advertising of unauthorised betting syndicate prohibited
42 Advertising of unauthorised betting syndicate prohibited
42 Advertising of unauthorised betting syndicate prohibited
(1) A person who advertises by any means that he or she or some other person will accept money for a share in an entry to be purchased in, or a subscription to be made to, a public lottery is guilty of an offence.
(2) A person who publishes such an advertisement is guilty of an offence.
(3) This section does not apply to—
(a) any person who is authorised by the rules to so advertise, but only in relation to such advertising by the person that is in accordance with the rules, or
(b) the licensee conducting the public lottery concerned.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.
s 42: Am 2004 No 13, Sch 1 [17].
42A
Advertising of alleged method for winning prohibited
42A Advertising of alleged method for winning prohibited
42A Advertising of alleged method for winning prohibited
A person who advertises by any means that the person or some other person will accept any money or other reward in return for information relating to—
(a) a particular method of entering in or subscribing to a public lottery, being a method of a kind prescribed by the regulations, or
(b) making or selecting a particular entry in such a public lottery,
that it is claimed may, or will, increase the chances of winning a prize in a lottery is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.
s 42A: Ins 1999 No 49, Sch 4 [4].
43
Credit betting prohibited
43 Credit betting prohibited
43 Credit betting prohibited
A licensee or agent of a licensee must not extend, or offer to extend, a cash advance or any other form of credit to a person for the purpose of enabling the person to enter in or subscribe to a public lottery conducted by the licensee.
Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.
s 43: Subst 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [14].
43A
Unauthorised selling of entries in or subscriptions to public lottery prohibited
43A Unauthorised selling of entries in or subscriptions to public lottery prohibited
43A Unauthorised selling of entries in or subscriptions to public lottery prohibited
A person (other than a licensee, or a person acting for the licensee, in the lawful conduct of a public lottery) who sells an entry in, or a subscription to, a public lottery is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.
ss 43A–43D: Ins 2004 No 13, Sch 1 [18].
43B
Unauthorised promotion or marketing of public lottery prohibited
43B Unauthorised promotion or marketing of public lottery prohibited
43B Unauthorised promotion or marketing of public lottery prohibited
A person (other than a licensee, or a person acting for the licensee, in the lawful conduct of a public lottery) who promotes or markets a public lottery is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.
ss 43A–43D: Ins 2004 No 13, Sch 1 [18].
43C
Person not to enter or subscribe to public lottery for or on behalf of another for fee or reward
43C Person not to enter or subscribe to public lottery for or on behalf of another for fee or reward
43C Person not to enter or subscribe to public lottery for or on behalf of another for fee or reward
A person (other than a licensee, or a person acting for the licensee, in the lawful conduct of a public lottery) who, for fee or reward, purchases, for or on behalf of another person, an entry in, or a subscription to, a public lottery, is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.
ss 43A–43D: Ins 2004 No 13, Sch 1 [18].
43D
False claims for prizes
43D False claims for prizes
43D False claims for prizes
Any person who lodges a claim for a prize in a public lottery knowing that it is false or misleading in a material respect is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.
ss 43A–43D: Ins 2004 No 13, Sch 1 [18].
44
Licensee or agent not to accept entry or payment from minor
44 Licensee or agent not to accept entry or payment from minor
44 Licensee or agent not to accept entry or payment from minor
(1) A licensee or agent who accepts from a person who is under the age of 18 years, whether personally, by mail, by electronic means or otherwise, a subscription to a public lottery is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.
(2) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence under this section if the defendant proves that the defendant had no reason to believe, and did not believe, that the person from whom the defendant accepted the subscription was under the age of 18 years.
s 44: Am 2018 No 7, Sch 1.11 [2].
45
Person not to enter or subscribe to public lottery on behalf of minor
45 Person not to enter or subscribe to public lottery on behalf of minor
45 Person not to enter or subscribe to public lottery on behalf of minor
(1) A person who, on behalf of a person under the age of 18 years, subscribes to a public lottery is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.
(2) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence under this section if the defendant proves that the defendant had no reason to believe, and did not believe, that the person on whose behalf the defendant subscribed to the lottery was under the age of 18 years.
(3) It is a defence to a prosecution under this section if the defendant proves that the defendant—
(a) was a parent or guardian of the person on whose behalf the entry to the public lottery was made, or
(b) was authorised to lodge the entry to the public lottery on behalf of the person by the parent or guardian.
s 45: Am 2018 No 7, Sch 1.11 [3].
46
Minor not to enter public lottery
46 Minor not to enter public lottery
46 Minor not to enter public lottery
A person who, while under the age of 18 years, enters or subscribes to a public lottery is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.
s 46: Am 1999 No 49, Sch 4 [5]; 2018 No 7, Sch 1.11 [4].
47
Minors not to be detained
47 Minors not to be detained
47 Minors not to be detained
A person under the age of 18 years may not be imprisoned, or detained in a detention centre, as a consequence of a failure to pay a penalty for an offence under this Division.
48
Definitions
48 Definitions
48 Definitions
In this Division—
instant lottery means a public lottery that is an instant lottery, and includes a public lottery in which the prizes are determined (wholly or partly) by exposing the matter in panels on the tickets in the lottery (whether or not additional prizes are determined in any other manner).
numbers has the same meaning as in section 5 (2).
s 48: Am 2004 No 13, Sch 1 [19].
49
Application of Division
49 Application of Division
49 Application of Division
(1) This Division applies to all instant lotteries promoted or conducted before or after the commencement of this Division, whether under the New South Wales Lotteries Act 1990 or under this Act.
(2) This Division has effect despite any other Act or law or any agreement.
50
Verification of tickets and prizes
50 Verification of tickets and prizes
50 Verification of tickets and prizes
(1) A licensee may record on a ticket in an instant lottery a verification code by which the licensee can determine after the sale of the ticket whether it is a valid ticket and also whether it has won a prize.
(2) A licensee may implement other tests in respect of instant lotteries for determining whether a ticket is a valid ticket and also whether it has won a prize.
(3) Those verification codes or other tests have the following purposes—
(a) to prevent forgery or fraudulent alteration of tickets,
(b) to provide a conclusive means of determining prizewinning tickets in accordance with the total amount allocated for prizes in that lottery.
(4) A prize is not payable in respect of a ticket in an instant lottery if the ticket does not satisfy any such verification code or other test.
(5) This section has effect even though the ticket may indicate that a prize has been won.
(6) The regulations may make additional provisions for or with respect to the payment of prizes in instant lotteries.
51
Clarification of certain rules for winning prizes in instant lotteries
51 Clarification of certain rules for winning prizes in instant lotteries
51 Clarification of certain rules for winning prizes in instant lotteries
(1) In an instant lottery, a statement that a prize is won by matching 3 numbers or by matching 3 identical numbers (or a statement to the same effect) means, and is taken always to have meant, that a prize is won if the same number appears 3 times. For example—
(2) In an instant lottery, a caption to a number (for example, the word “one” beneath the number “1”) forms part of the number and does not constitute a separate number for the purposes of counting the number of numbers.
(3) This section applies to a statement on a ticket in the instant lottery or to a statement publicly advertised or used in connection with the instant lottery.
s 51: Am 2004 No 13, Sch 1 [20].
Part 7
Ministerial enforcement powers
Part 7 Ministerial enforcement powers
Part 7 Ministerial enforcement powers
pt 7, hdg: Subst 2018 No 7, Sch 1.11 [5].
52
Licensees and agents to inform Minister of changed circumstances
52 Licensees and agents to inform Minister of changed circumstances
52 Licensees and agents to inform Minister of changed circumstances
(1) If a change of a kind prescribed by the regulations occurs in the circumstances that existed in relation to a licensee at the time the licensee was granted the licence or in relation to an agent at the time the agent was appointed or approved—
(a) the licensee, in the case of a change that relates to the licensee, or
(b) the agent, in the case of a change that relates to the agent,
must notify the Minister in writing, not later than 14 days after the change occurs, of the particulars relating to the change that the regulations prescribe.
(2) Despite subsection (1), if the licensee or the agent is not aware, and could not reasonably be expected to be aware, of a relevant change at the time it occurs, the licensee or agent (as the case may be) must notify the Minister in writing not later than 14 days after becoming aware of the change.
Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.
s 52: Am 2004 No 13, Sch 1 [21]; 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [15].
pt 7, div 5: Rep 2018 No 7, Sch 1.11 [6].
pt 7, div 6: Rep 2018 No 7, Sch 1.11 [8].
53
Minister may require information relating to licensees and agents
53 Minister may require information relating to licensees and agents
53 Minister may require information relating to licensees and agents
(1) The Minister may, by notice in writing, require a licensee or agent or a person who, in the opinion of the Minister, has a direct or indirect association with a licensee or agent—
(a) to provide the Minister or an inspector, in accordance with directions in the notice, with the information relevant to the licensee or agent or that association (or relevant to any matter prescribed by the regulations) that is specified in the notice, or
(b) to produce to the Minister or an inspector, in accordance with directions in the notice, the documents relevant to the licensee or agent or that association (or relevant to any matter prescribed by the regulations) that are specified in the notice and to permit examination of the documents and the taking of extracts from, and the making of copies of, them, or
(c) to attend before the Minister or an inspector for examination in relation to any matters relevant to the licensee or agent or that association (or relevant to any matter prescribed by the regulations) and to answer any question relating to those matters.
A licensee, agent or person who fails to comply with a requirement of a notice is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.
(2) A natural person is not excused from complying with a notice under this section on the ground that compliance might tend to incriminate the person. However, if the person claims, before complying with the notice, that compliance might tend to incriminate the person, information provided in compliance with the notice is not admissible in evidence against the person in criminal proceedings other than proceedings under this Act.
(3) If documents are produced under this section, the Minister or inspector to whom they are produced may retain possession of them for a reasonable period so that they may be examined and extracts taken from, or copies made of, them.
(4) The Minister or inspector must permit inspection of the documents, at any reasonable time during which they are retained under this section, by a person who would be entitled to inspect them if they were not in the possession of the Minister or inspector.
(5) A person who complies with a requirement of a notice under this section does not on that account incur a liability to another person.
54
Minister may require person to provide particulars concerning key employees
54 Minister may require person to provide particulars concerning key employees
54 Minister may require person to provide particulars concerning key employees
The Minister may, by notice in writing served on a person, require the person to provide the Minister, within a reasonable time specified in the notice, with the following—
(a) the names of all persons who are key employees of the person,
(b) the positions held by, and the duties of, those employees,
(c) any other relevant particulars relating to those employees as are specified in the notice.
A person who fails to comply with a requirement of a notice is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.
55
Minister may require key employees to provide information
55 Minister may require key employees to provide information
55 Minister may require key employees to provide information
(1) The Minister may, by notice in writing served on a key employee, require the key employee—
(a) to consent, in accordance with directions in the notice, to having his or her photograph, finger prints and palm prints taken, and
(b) to provide, in accordance with directions in the notice, the information (verified by statutory declaration) relevant to the key employee that is specified in the notice, and
(c) to produce, in accordance with directions in the notice, the documents relevant to the key employee that are specified in the notice and to permit examination of the documents and the taking of extracts from, and the making of copies of, them, and
(d) to furnish the authorities and consent that the Minister may require for the purpose of obtaining further information (including financial and other confidential information) from other persons and institutions.
(2) The Minister is to refer to the Commissioner of Police copies of photographs, finger prints and palm prints obtained in respect of a key employee under this section and with any supporting information that the Minister considers should be referred to the Commissioner.
(3) The Commissioner of Police is to inquire into, and report to the Minister on, any matters concerning the key employee that the Minister may request.
(4) A key employee is not excused from complying with a notice under this section on the ground that compliance might tend to incriminate the employee. However, if the employee claims, before complying with the notice, that compliance might tend to incriminate the employee, information provided in compliance with the notice is not admissible in evidence against the employee in any criminal proceedings other than proceedings under this Act.
(5) A key employee who complies with a requirement of a notice under this section does not on that account incur a liability to another person.
56
Failure of key employee to provide required information
56 Failure of key employee to provide required information
56 Failure of key employee to provide required information
(1) The Minister may, if a key employee refuses or fails to comply with a requirement of a notice served on the key employee under section 55, by notice in writing, direct—
(a) the licensee, or
(b) any other appropriate person,
to terminate immediately and not to renew the employment or arrangement by reason of which the key employee is a key employee of the licensee or other person.
(2) A person who does not give effect to a direction given to the person under this section is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.
57
Power to terminate employment of key employee at Minister’s direction
57 Power to terminate employment of key employee at Minister’s direction
57 Power to terminate employment of key employee at Minister’s direction
(1) This section applies in respect of a direction given by the Minister under this Division or Division 2 to an employer to terminate the employment of a key employee or the other arrangement by reason of which a key employee is a key employee of the employer.
(2) It is taken to be a condition of any agreement or other arrangement entered into between an employer and a key employee that the employer has the rights required to enable the employer to give effect to a direction to which this section applies.
(3) The termination of an employment or arrangement in accordance with this section has effect despite any other Act or law, or any contract, award or enterprise or other agreement, and the State does not incur any liability because of such a termination.
(4) In this section, employer means a licensee or other person to whom a direction to which this section applies is given.
58
Destruction of finger and palm prints of former key employees
58 Destruction of finger and palm prints of former key employees
58 Destruction of finger and palm prints of former key employees
(1) Any finger prints or palm prints obtained under this Division, and any copies of them, are to be destroyed as soon as the key employee from whom they were obtained is no longer a key employee.
(2) A person—
(a) who has possession of finger prints or palm prints obtained by the Minister under this Division, or copies of them, and
(b) who fails to deliver them to the Minister, in accordance with the written directions of the Minister, to enable subsection (1) to be complied with,
is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty (subsection (2)): 20 penalty units.
59
Prejudice to integrity of public lottery involving licensees or other persons
59 Prejudice to integrity of public lottery involving licensees or other persons
59 Prejudice to integrity of public lottery involving licensees or other persons
(1) The Minister may give a direction under this section if the Minister is of the opinion that the integrity or apparent integrity of a public lottery conducted by a licensee is likely to be seriously prejudiced because of—
(a) any irregularity or alleged irregularity of any kind, or
(b) the character or reputation of any person concerned in the management or supervision of the public lottery, or
(c) any other fact or circumstance reported to the Minister.
(2) The Minister may, for the purpose of avoiding the prejudice referred to in this section, by notice in writing, direct—
(a) the licensee, or
(b) any other person engaged, in whatever capacity, in the conduct of a public lottery on the licensee’s behalf,
to take (or to refrain from taking) any action specified in the notice in relation to all or any specified public lottery conducted by the licensee.
(3) A person who does not comply with a direction given to the person under this section is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.
60
Minister may direct licensee to terminate certain agency arrangements
60 Minister may direct licensee to terminate certain agency arrangements
60 Minister may direct licensee to terminate certain agency arrangements
(1) If a person who is an agent does not comply with a direction given to the person under section 59, the Minister may, by notice in writing, direct the licensee by whom the person is engaged to terminate, within a time specified in the notice, the arrangement under which the person is appointed as the agent of the licensee.
(2) A licensee who does not comply with a notice given to the licensee under this section is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.
(3) It is taken to be a condition of any arrangement entered into between a licensee and an agent that the licensee has the rights required to enable the licensee to give effect to a direction to which this section applies.
(4) The termination of an arrangement in accordance with this section has effect despite any other Act or law and neither the State nor the Minister incurs any liability by reason of that termination.
61
Prejudice to integrity of public lottery involving key employee
61 Prejudice to integrity of public lottery involving key employee
61 Prejudice to integrity of public lottery involving key employee
(1) The Minister may give a direction under this section if the Minister is of the opinion that the integrity or apparent integrity of a public lottery conducted by a licensee is likely to be seriously prejudiced because of—
(a) the criminal record of a key employee, or
(b) the character or reputation of a key employee.
(2) The Minister may, by notice in writing, direct—
(a) the licensee, or
(b) any other appropriate person,
to terminate immediately and not to renew the employment or arrangement by reason of which the key employee is a key employee of the licensee or other person.
(3) A person who does not comply with a direction given to the person under this section is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty (subsection (3)): 50 penalty units.
62
Definitions
62 Definitions
62 Definitions
In this Division—
contract includes any kind of agreement or arrangement.
controlled contract means—
(a) a contract that relates wholly or partly to the supply of goods or services to a licensee or agent in connection with the conduct of a public lottery and that is—
(i) for the purchase or servicing, or purchase and servicing, of any device or equipment used in connection with the conduct of the public lottery or the security arrangements in relation to the conduct of the public lottery, or
(ii) for a total consideration that exceeds $100,000 per annum, or
(iii) a contract, or a contract of a class, the Minister has specified in the conditions of the licence because it involves the public interest, or
(b) a contract of a class that is prescribed by the regulations as a controlled contract for the purposes of this definition,
but does not include an exempt contract.
exempt contract means—
(a) a contract that relates solely to the construction or alteration of premises used or to be used by a licensee or agent in connection with the conduct of a public lottery, or
(b) a contract of a class that is prescribed by the regulations as exempt from the definition of controlled contract.
63
Notice of proposed controlled contracts or variations of controlled contracts to be given
63 Notice of proposed controlled contracts or variations of controlled contracts to be given
63 Notice of proposed controlled contracts or variations of controlled contracts to be given
(1) This section applies only to controlled contracts that the conditions of a licence or the regulations require to be notified to the Minister and so applies in respect of—
(a) such controlled contracts that are entered into after the commencement of this section, and
(b) variations of such controlled contracts, whether the contracts were entered into before or after that commencement.
(2) A licensee or agent must not enter into or become a party to a controlled contract, or the variation of a controlled contract, to which this section applies until the licensee or agent has given the Minister written notice of the details of the proposed contract or variation of contract that are specified in the conditions of a licence or prescribed by the regulations and the investigation time that the Minister is allowed by this section has elapsed.
(3) The notice must be accompanied by the fee specified by the conditions of the licence or prescribed by the regulations.
(4) The Minister may object to the proposed contract or variation of contract by notice in writing given to the licensee or agent during the investigation time that the Minister is allowed by this section, in which case the licensee or agent must not enter into or become a party to the contract or variation of contract.
(5) The Minister is not required, despite any rule of law to the contrary, to give reasons for an objection made under subsection (4).
(6) The Minister is allowed 28 days investigation time (starting from when the notice under subsection (2) is given to the Minister) but that time can be shortened or extended in a particular case by the Minister by notice in writing to the licensee or agent.
(7) Investigation time is not to be extended unless the Minister is of the opinion that the special circumstances of the case (such as, for example, the complex nature of the inquiries that need to be made or the need to consult other agencies) make the extension necessary or desirable and that public interest considerations justify the extension.
(8) Investigation time can be extended more than once but cannot in any case be extended to more than 6 months after the notice was given to the Minister.
(9) It is a condition of—
(a) a licence that the licensee must comply with this section, or
(b) the approval or appointment of an agent that the agent must comply with this section,
but failure to comply with this section does not affect the validity of any contract or variation of contract.
64
Notice to show cause why controlled contract should not be terminated
64 Notice to show cause why controlled contract should not be terminated
64 Notice to show cause why controlled contract should not be terminated
(1) The Minister may serve on each party to a controlled contract a notice in writing affording the party an opportunity to show cause within 14 days why the contract should not be terminated on the ground that it is not in the public interest for the contract to remain in force.
(2) The notice is to specify the reasons why it is considered that it is not in the public interest for the contract to remain in force.
(3) A party to the contract may, within the period specified in the notice, arrange with the Minister for the making of submissions as to why the contract should not be terminated.
(4) The Minister may—
(a) after considering any submissions so made, or
(b) if no arrangements are made within the period specified in the notice, or no submissions are received in accordance with arrangements made,
by notice in writing served on each party to the contract, require the contract to be terminated within a time specified in the notice.
(5) If a contract is not terminated as required by a notice, it is terminated by this Act as and from the expiration of the time specified in the notice for the termination of the contract.
(6) This section applies to controlled contracts whether entered into before or after the commencement of this section.
65
Effect of termination
65 Effect of termination
65 Effect of termination
If a contract is terminated in accordance with this Division—
(a) the termination does not affect a right acquired, or a liability incurred, before the termination by a person who was a party to the contract, as a result of the performance before the termination of any obligation imposed by the contract, and
(b) no liability for breach of contract is incurred by a person who was a party to the contract by reason only of that termination, and
(c) neither the State nor the Minister incurs any liability by reason of that termination.
66
Parties to terminated contract must not give effect to it
66 Parties to terminated contract must not give effect to it
66 Parties to terminated contract must not give effect to it
A party to a contract terminated in accordance with this Division who gives further effect to the contract is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.
67
Parties to contract may be required to provide information
67 Parties to contract may be required to provide information
67 Parties to contract may be required to provide information
Section 53 (Minister may require information relating to licensees and agents) applies to a party to a controlled contract in the same way as it applies to a licensee.
68
Investigations
68 Investigations
68 Investigations
(1) The Minister may appoint a person to investigate and report on matters and circumstances specified by the Minister relating to—
(a) the conduct of any public lottery, or
(b) a licensee or agent or a person who, in the opinion of the Minister, is an associate of a licensee or agent, or
(c) a specified person who, or a specified class of persons that includes persons who, in the opinion of the Minister, could be in a position to exercise direct or indirect control over a licensee or agent, in relation to the conduct of a public lottery.
(2) A person appointed to carry out an investigation may, for the purpose of the investigation, exercise—
(a) the functions conferred by section 53 (Minister may require information relating to licensees and agents) on the Minister, and
(b) any other functions of the Minister specified by the Minister in the instrument of appointment.
(3) The exercise of functions under this section by a person other than the Minister has effect as if the functions had been exercised by the Minister.
Part 7A
Investigation and enforcement powers generally
Part 7A Investigation and enforcement powers generally
Part 7A Investigation and enforcement powers generally
ss 69–71: Rep 2018 No 7, Sch 1.11 [6]. Ins 2018 No 7, Sch 1.11 [7].
70
Purposes for which powers under this Part may be exercised
70 Purposes for which powers under this Part may be exercised
70 Purposes for which powers under this Part may be exercised
Powers may be exercised under this Part for the following purposes—
(a) for determining whether there has been compliance with or a contravention of this Act, and the regulations and instruments made under it,
(b) for obtaining information or records for purposes connected with the administration of this Act and the regulations and instruments made under it,
(c) in connection with exercising the functions of an inspector under this Act and the regulations and instruments made under it,
(d) generally for administering this Act, and the regulations and instruments made under it, and promoting its objects.
ss 69–71: Rep 2018 No 7, Sch 1.11 [6]. Ins 2018 No 7, Sch 1.11 [7].
71
Appointment and identification of inspectors
71 Appointment and identification of inspectors
71 Appointment and identification of inspectors
(1) The Secretary may appoint a Public Service employee to be an inspector for the purposes of this Act and the regulations and instruments made under it.
(2) The Secretary is taken to have been appointed as an inspector.
(3) The Secretary is to cause each inspector to be issued with a means of identification in the form approved by the Secretary.
(4) In the course of exercising the functions of an inspector under this Act and the regulations and instruments made under it, the inspector must, if requested to do so by any person affected by the exercise of any such function, produce the inspector’s identification for inspection by the person unless to do so would defeat the purpose for which the functions are to be exercised.
ss 69–71: Rep 2018 No 7, Sch 1.11 [6]. Ins 2018 No 7, Sch 1.11 [7].
72
Powers of inspectors
72 Powers of inspectors
72 Powers of inspectors
An inspector has and may exercise the functions of an inspector under Divisions 2, 3, 4 and 6 of Part 4 of the GALA Act (as applied by section 73) for any of the purposes referred to in section 70.
s 72: Am 2002 No 103, Sch 4.76 [1]–[3]. Rep 2018 No 7, Sch 1.11 [6]. Ins 2018 No 7, Sch 1.11 [7].
73
Application of GALA Act
73 Application of GALA Act
73 Application of GALA Act
(1) Sections 14 and 15 of the GALA Act apply to the appointment of an inspector under section 71 in the same way that they apply to the appointment of an inspector under the GALA Act.
(2) The provisions of Divisions 2, 3, 4 and 6 of Part 4 of the GALA Act and sections 17 (Secrecy) and 37 (Protection from personal liability) apply to and in respect of this Act and the regulations and instruments made under it as if those provisions were part of this Act, but modified so that—
(a) references in those provisions to the gaming and liquor legislation were references to this Act and the regulations and instruments made under it, and
(b) references in those provisions to “this Act” and “this Part” were references to this Act and this Part, respectively, and
(c) references in those provisions to an inspector were references to inspectors appointed under section 71, and
(d) references in sections 28 (2) and 30 (2) of the GALA Act to “the Authority” were references to the Secretary, and
(e) the reference in section 24 (1) of the GALA Act to section 18 were a reference to section 70, and
(f) section 35 (2) of the GALA Act does not apply to the extent that it prevents a person from being excused from answering a question on the ground that the answer may tend to incriminate the person, and
(g) section 35 (5) (b) of the GALA Act does not apply to the extent that it makes information obtained as a result of an answer given that might incriminate a person admissible.
(3) For the avoidance of doubt, a prosecution of a person for an offence against a provision of the GALA Act (as applying under this section) is to be taken as if the offence were an offence under this Act.
(4) The functions that an inspector has under Part 4 of the GALA Act are, for the purposes of any provision of this Act and the regulations and instruments made under it, taken to be functions under this Act and the regulations and instruments made under it.
(5) If an inspector has functions in respect of a matter under both the GALA Act (as applying under this section) and under any other provision of this Act or the regulations made under it, the fact that there is a restriction on the exercise of a function under this Act or the regulations does not of itself operate to restrict the exercise by an inspector of any similar or the same function under the GALA Act.
s 73: Rep 2018 No 7, Sch 1.11 [6]. Ins 2018 No 7, Sch 1.11 [7].
74
74
74 (Repealed)
Part 7B
Proceedings for offences
Part 7B Proceedings for offences
Part 7B Proceedings for offences
pt 7B: Ins 2018 No 7, Sch 1.11 [9].
75
Proceedings for offences
75 Proceedings for offences
75 Proceedings for offences
Proceedings for an offence against this Act or the regulations are to be dealt with summarily before the Local Court.
s 75: Am 2001 No 121, Sch 2.175 [1]; 2007 No 94, Sch 2.
75A
Penalty notices
75A Penalty notices
75A Penalty notices
(1) An inspector may issue a penalty notice to a person if it appears to the inspector that the person has committed a penalty notice offence.
(2) A penalty notice offence is an offence against this Act or the regulations that is prescribed by the regulations as a penalty notice offence.
(3) The Fines Act 1996 applies to a penalty notice issued under this section.
Note—
The Fines Act 1996 provides that, if a person issued with a penalty notice does not wish to have the matter determined by a court, the person may pay the amount specified in the notice and is not liable to any further proceedings for the alleged offence.
(4) However—
(a) section 22A (1) of the Fines Act 1996 does not apply in relation to disciplinary action under Part 3 of this Act, and
(b) despite section 22A (2) of the Fines Act 1996, when an amount is paid under this section in respect of a penalty notice issued to a person, the person is, for the purposes of Part 3 of this Act, taken to have been convicted of the offence to which the penalty notice relates.
(5) The amount payable under a penalty notice issued under this section is the amount prescribed for the alleged offence by the regulations (not exceeding the maximum amount of penalty that could be imposed for the offence by a court).
(6) This section does not limit the operation of any other provision of, or made under, this or any other Act relating to proceedings that may be taken in respect of offences.
s 75A: Ins 2018 No 7, Sch 1.11 [10].
76
Time within which proceedings may be commenced
76 Time within which proceedings may be commenced
76 Time within which proceedings may be commenced
(1) Proceedings for an offence under this Act or the regulations may be commenced not later than 2 years after the date alleged to be the date on which the offence was committed.
Proceedings for an offence under this Act may be brought by—
(a) an inspector, or
(b) a police officer, or
(c) any other person, or person of a class, prescribed by the regulations.
78
Offences by corporations
78 Offences by corporations
78 Offences by corporations
(1) If a corporation contravenes, whether by act or omission, any provision of this Act or the regulations, each person who is a director of the corporation or who is concerned in the management of the corporation is taken to have contravened the same provision if the person knowingly authorised or permitted the contravention.
(2) A person may be proceeded against and convicted under a provision pursuant to this section whether or not the corporation has been proceeded against or been convicted under that provision.
(3) Nothing in this section affects any liability imposed on a corporation for an offence committed by the corporation against this Act or the regulations.
Part 8
Miscellaneous
Part 8 Miscellaneous
Part 8 Miscellaneous
79
Act binds Crown
79 Act binds Crown
79 Act binds Crown
This Act binds the Crown in right of New South Wales and, in so far as the legislative power of Parliament permits, the Crown in all its other capacities.
79A
Administrative review by Civil and Administrative Tribunal of certain decisions
79A Administrative review by Civil and Administrative Tribunal of certain decisions
79A Administrative review by Civil and Administrative Tribunal of certain decisions
A person may apply to the Civil and Administrative Tribunal for an administrative review under the Administrative Decisions Review Act 1997 of any of the following decisions—
(a) a decision of the Minister to take disciplinary action against the person under Division 2 of Part 3,
(b) a decision of the Minister under section 21H to withdraw the approval or appointment of the person as an agent of a licensee under the conditions of a licence.
s 79A: Ins 1997 No 77, Sch 6.5. Am 2004 No 13, Sch 1 [22]. Subst 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [16]. Am 2013 No 95, Sch 2.122.
80
Secrecy
80 Secrecy
80 Secrecy
(1) A person who—
(a) acquires information in the exercise of a function under this Act, and
(b) directly or indirectly, makes a record of the information or divulges it to another person,
is guilty of an offence unless the information is recorded or divulged in the exercise of functions under this Act.
Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.
(2) Despite subsection (1), information may be divulged—
(a) to a particular person or persons, if the Minister certifies that it is necessary in the public interest that the information be divulged to the person or persons, or
(b) to a person who is expressly or impliedly authorised to obtain it by the person to whom the information relates, or
(c) to a person or authority prescribed by the regulations.
(3) It is not an offence under this section if, in legal proceedings, a person—
(a) divulges information in answer to a question that the person is compellable to answer, or
(b) produces a document or other thing that the person is compellable to produce.
(4) An authority or person to whom information is divulged under this section, and a person or employee under the control of that authority or person, are, in respect of that information, subject to the same rights, privileges and duties under this section as they would be if that authority, person or employee were a person exercising functions under this Act and had acquired the information in the exercise of those functions.
(5) This section does not apply to the divulging of information to any of the following—
(a) the Independent Commission Against Corruption,
(b) the Australian Crime Commission,
(c) the New South Wales Crime Commission,
(d) the Ombudsman,
(e) any other person or body prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this subsection.
(a) contains matter the disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to do any of the following—
(i) prejudice the investigation of any contravention or possible contravention of the law (including any revenue law) whether generally or in a particular case,
(ii) enable the existence or identity of any confidential source of information, in relation to the enforcement or administration of the law, to be ascertained,
(iii) prejudice the effectiveness of any lawful method or procedure for preventing, detecting, investigating or dealing with any contravention or possible contravention of the law (including any revenue law), or
(b) is a document the disclosure of which would disclose any of the following information—
(i) information concerning the business, commercial, professional or financial affairs of a licensee, agent or key employee,
(ii) information obtained in the course of an investigation of a licensee, agent or key employee.
(7) In this section, a reference to the divulging of information includes a reference to the production of a document or other thing and the provision of access to the document or other thing.
s 80: Am 2003 No 13, Sch 1.26; 2009 No 54, Sch 2.41.
81
Delegation
81 Delegation
81 Delegation
(1) The Minister or Treasurer may delegate to a public servant or an officer of a class prescribed by the regulations all or any of the functions conferred or imposed on the Minister or Treasurer by or under this Act, other than this power of delegation.
(2) The Secretary of the Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade may delegate the exercise of any function of the Secretary under this Act (other than this power of delegation) to—
(a) any person employed in the Public Service, or
(b) any person, or any class of persons, authorised for the purposes of this subsection by the regulations.
s 81: Am 2019 No 14, Sch 1.16[1]; 2022 No 59, Sch 3.55.
82
Service of documents
82 Service of documents
82 Service of documents
(1) A document required or permitted by or under this Act to be served on a person may, if the person is a natural person, be served—
(a) by delivering the document to the person, or
(b) by sending the document by post addressed to the person at the person’s last known place of residence, or
(c) by leaving the document at the person’s last known place of residence with a person apparently resident at that place and apparently not less than 16 years of age, or
(d) by leaving the document at the person’s last known place of business with a person apparently in the service of the person and apparently not less than 16 years of age, or
(e) by email to an email address specified by the person for the service of documents of that kind.
(2) A document required or permitted by or under this Act to be served on a person may, if the person is a corporation, be served—
(a) by sending the document by post addressed to the corporation at its registered office or principal place of business in New South Wales, or
(b) by leaving the document at the registered office or principal place of business in New South Wales of the corporation with some person apparently employed in connection with the business of the corporation and apparently not less than 16 years of age, or
(c) by email to an email address specified by the corporation for the service of documents of that kind.
(3) If a document is to be served on a licensee and the licence concerned is held by 2 or more licensees, service of the document on one licensee in accordance with this section is taken to be service, in accordance with this section, on each other licensee.
(4) The provisions of this section are in addition to, and do not prejudice the operation of, any other law prescribing procedures sufficient for the service of documents.
s 82: Am 2019 No 14, Sch 1.16[2] [3].
83
Regulations
83 Regulations
83 Regulations
(1) The Governor may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, for or with respect to any matter that by this Act is required or permitted to be prescribed or that is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.
(2) In particular, the regulations may make provision for or with respect to the following—
(a) the days on which and the hours between which a licensee or an agent may not accept entries in a public lottery,
(b) the payment of prizes in a public lottery,
(c) any other matter for which the conditions of a licence may make provision.
(3) A regulation may create an offence punishable by a penalty not exceeding 50 penalty units.
83A
Responsible conduct of gambling activities
83A Responsible conduct of gambling activities
83A Responsible conduct of gambling activities
(1) The regulations may make provision for or with respect to requiring or encouraging the adoption of responsible practices in the conduct of public lotteries.
(2) In particular, the regulations may make provision for or with respect to the following—
(a) the standards to be observed for the conduct of responsible gambling activities,
(b) the prohibition or restriction of the offering of inducements, or inducements of a kind, specified by the regulations,
(c) the information to be provided and signs to be displayed with respect to the conduct of, entry into and subscription to public lotteries,
(d) without limiting paragraph (c), the inclusion on each entry or ticket for a public lottery of—
(i) a warning notice about gambling, and
(ii) the name and contact details of a gambling counselling service specified, or of a kind specified, by the regulations.
(3) The regulations under this section may create offences punishable by a penalty not exceeding 50 penalty units.
(1) The Minister is to review this Act to determine whether the policy objectives of the Act remain valid and whether the terms of the Act remain appropriate for securing those objectives.
(2) The review is to be undertaken as soon as possible after the period of 5 years from the date of assent to this Act.
(3) A report on the outcome of the review is to be tabled in each House of Parliament within 12 months after the end of the period of 5 years.
Schedule 1
Licence conditions
Schedule 1 Licence conditions
Schedule 1 Licence conditions
(Section 14)
sch 1: Am 1997 No 55, Sch 2.14. Rep 1999 No 85, Sch 4. Ins 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [17].
Schedule 2
Savings, transitional and other provisions
Schedule 2 Savings, transitional and other provisions
Schedule 2 Savings, transitional and other provisions
(Section 86)
sch 2: Am 2000 No 44, Sch 7 [5]; 2004 No 13, Sch 1 [23] [24]; 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [18] [19]; 2018 No 7, Sch 1.11 [11].
Source text: opening excerpt
Sourced from legislation.nsw.gov.au, CC BY 4.0.
Part 1 Preliminary
Part 1 Preliminary
Part 1 Preliminary
1 Name of Act
1 Name of Act
1 Name of Act
This Act is the Public Lotteries Act 1996.
2 Commencement
2 Commencement
2 Commencement
This Act commences on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation.
3 Objects of Act
3 Objects of Act
3 Objects of Act
The objects of this Act are—
(a) to make provision for the proper conduct of public lotteries in the public interest and to minimise any harm associated with public lotteries, and
(b) to ensure that revenue derived from the conduct of public lotteries is accounted for in a proper manner, and
(c) to ensure that, on balance, the State and the community as a whole benefit from the conduct of public lotteries.
s 3: Am 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [1].
4 Definitions
4 Definitions
4 Definitions
(1) In this Act—
agent of a licensee means an agent appointed or approved in accordance with the conditions of the licence held by the licensee.
commission, in relation to a public lottery, means an amount—
(a) paid to, deducted by or retained by an agent in connection with a subscription to the public lottery (whether or not in the person’s capacity as an agent of the licensee conducting the public lottery), and
(b) determined by or in accordance with, and identified as commission in, the conditions of the relevant licence or the rules of the public lottery.
conduct a public lottery includes promote, organise and operate the public lottery.
corresponding law means a law of another State, Territory or country under which a person is authorised to conduct a public lottery.
exercise a function includes perform a duty.
function includes a power, authority or duty.
inspector means a person appointed under section 71.
keno has the meaning set out in section 5B.
Part 3 (as substituted in 2009) creates a dual licensing regime. An “operator licence” authorises the conduct of any public lottery for which the holder also holds a “product licence” (s.10(1)). Only corporations or joint corporations may hold licences (s.10(4)). Grant of an operator licence requires Treasurer approval (s.10(2)) and satisfaction that the applicant and every close associate (defined in s.5A by reference to relevant financial interests, powers or executive positions capable of significant influence) is suitable, taking into account repute, financial stability, ownership structure, resources, experience, business ability, technical capacity and absence of undesirable associations (s.11). Product licences are granted only if the particular game is suitable, having regard to the integrity of its proposed rules, harm minimisation and consumer protection measures (s.12). Licences are subject to mandatory and optional conditions set out in Schedule 1, may run for up to 40 years (s.17), and may be granted on an exclusive basis (subject to an express carve-out for keno) (s.18). Transfer, ownership changes, surrender, review of suitability, disciplinary action (including suspension, cancellation, fines up to $250,000, rectification directions and censure), immediate suspension, show-cause procedures, withdrawal of agent approvals and completion of lotteries after cancellation are all regulated in detail (ss.19–21I).
Part 4 requires licensees to make rules, not inconsistent with the Act, regulations or licence conditions, covering subscription handling, ticket issue, prize entitlement, payment and refunds (s.22). Rules must be approved by the Minister, published in the Gazette and displayed or made available at points of sale (ss.23–24). Inconsistent rules cease to have effect (s.25). Specific display obligations exist for minors prohibitions (s.24A).
Financial controls in Part 5 are intricate. A separate prize fund must be kept for each kind of lottery (s.25A). A prescribed percentage of subscriptions (which may include commission in certain cases) must be paid into the prize fund so that, together with any existing balance, prizes can be met (s.26). Funds are held in approved accounts, may be invested with Ministerial approval, and may be drawn only for prize payments, prize reserve transfers, authorised subsidies, operating costs or, when a licence ends, in accordance with regulations (s.27). Unclaimed prizes (defined as prizes unclaimed for one year) are paid into the Consolidated Fund after Ministerial direction, converting the Crown into the payer (s.27A). General duty and licence duty are payable on subscriptions or player loss at percentages fixed by licence conditions, with additional duty for late payment at 10 per cent per month (or such other rate as conditioned) (ss.28–30). Duty is paid into the Consolidated Fund (s.31) and may be shared with participating jurisdictions (s.33). A Sport and Recreation Fund receives two-thirds of duty and additional duty from soccer football pools (s.34).
Part 6 contains operational rules. Statutory authorities may be appointed agents (s.37). Licensees may enter approved agreements with interstate lotteries authorities for multi-jurisdictional schemes (s.37A). Prizewinner identity must be protected if anonymity is requested (s.38). Advertising must not be false, misleading or breach regulations (s.39), with courts empowered to order corrective advertising or training. Agents may be authorised to pay small prizes directly (s.39A). Syndicates may be promoted only if authorised by rules (ss.40–42). Credit betting is prohibited (s.43). Unauthorised selling, promotion, acting as intermediary for reward, and false prize claims are offences (ss.43A–43D). Minors are protected by prohibitions on acceptance of entries or subscriptions from or on behalf of persons under 18, with defences for reasonable belief as to age and parental exceptions (ss.44–46); minors themselves commit an offence by entering (s.46) but cannot be imprisoned for penalty defaults (s.47).
Instant lotteries receive special treatment in Division 3 of Part 6. Verification codes or tests may be used to determine validity and prize entitlement; a ticket failing such a test is not payable even if it appears to show a win (s.50). Section 51 clarifies that “matching 3 numbers” or “matching 3 identical numbers” means the same number appearing three times, and that a caption (for example the word “one” beneath the numeral “1”) forms part of the number.
Ministerial information-gathering and direction powers occupy Part 7. Licensees and agents must notify prescribed changes of circumstances (s.52). The Minister may require information, documents or attendance from licensees, agents, associates or key employees (ss.53–55). Key employees may be directed to be removed (s.56). Directions may be given to protect lottery integrity, including termination of agency arrangements or key-employee contracts (ss.59–61). Controlled contracts (broadly defined in s.62 to capture high-value or public-interest supplies) must be notified in advance; the Minister may object or later require termination on public-interest grounds (ss.63–66).
Part 7A (inserted 2018) applies modified investigation and enforcement powers from the Gaming and Liquor Administration Act 2007. Inspectors (including the Secretary) may exercise entry, search, seizure and questioning powers for compliance, information gathering and administration purposes (ss.70–73). Proceedings are summary before the Local Court, with penalty notices available (ss.75–75A). Time limits, authorised prosecutors, corporate liability and review rights are prescribed (ss.76–79A). Secrecy, delegation, service and regulation-making powers complete the Act (ss.80–83A). Schedule 1 lists mandatory and optional licence conditions. Schedule 2 contains extensive savings and transitional provisions reflecting successive amendments, including protections for existing retail agents after the 2009 NSW Lotteries transaction.
In short, the Act does not merely license lotteries; it constructs an interlocking system of suitability gating, ongoing integrity oversight, financial ring-fencing, consumer safeguards, disciplinary machinery and inter-jurisdictional coordination.
Who it affects
The primary regulated entities are “licensees” – corporations (or joint corporations) holding an operator licence or product licence (s.4 and s.10). An operator licensee may conduct any lottery for which it holds a corresponding product licence. Close associates of applicants or licensees are scrutinised as if they were the licensee (ss.5A, 11, 21A, 21B). “Agents” (appointed or approved under licence conditions) sell entries, collect subscriptions and may be authorised to pay small prizes or form syndicates (ss.4, 39A, 40, Schedule 1). “Key employees” – those in managerial, supervisory or discretionary roles, or prescribed roles – are subject to information demands, fingerprinting, removal directions and termination requirements (ss.4, 54–57, 61).
Players are affected through age restrictions (ss.44–47), anonymity rights (s.38), entitlement to prizes from the prize fund (s.27), and protection from misleading advertising or credit betting (ss.39, 43). The Minister, Treasurer and Secretary exercise extensive discretionary powers over licensing, conditions, disciplinary action, directions, rule approval, prize-fund drawings and investigations (ss.10–16, 21A–21I, 23, 27, 53, 59–61, 68–73). Inspectors appointed under s.71 (or deemed to be the Secretary) hold GALA Act powers. Interstate lotteries authorities may be parties to s.37A agreements. Statutory authorities may act as agents (s.37). The Crown itself becomes liable for unclaimed prizes once paid into the Consolidated Fund (s.27A(3)). Retail businesses hosting keno sales on licensed premises (clubs, hotels, casinos) are indirectly regulated via the s.5B premises restriction. Finally, Schedule 2 transitional provisions continue to affect former NSW Lotteries agents and the existing keno licence holder.
Key duties and rights
Licensees’ central duty is to conduct lotteries only as authorised by their licences and in accordance with the Act, regulations, rules and conditions (s.8 creates an offence for breach). They must pay the requisite percentage of subscriptions into the prize fund (s.26), remit general and licence duty (ss.28–29), maintain separate prize funds in approved accounts (ss.25A, 27), and ensure agents comply (s.21B(i)). Rules must be made, submitted for approval, published and displayed (ss.22–24). Suitability must be maintained; changes of ownership structure above 20 per cent voting power require Ministerial consent (s.20). Controlled contracts must be notified (s.63). Harm-minimisation and consumer-protection measures must be adequate (s.12(2)(b)). Advertising must be truthful and regulation-compliant (s.39). Minors must be refused (s.44). Anonymity requests must be honoured (s.38).
Agents must display rules and minors notices (ss.24, 24A), may not accept minors’ subscriptions (s.44), and are subject to Ministerial withdrawal of approval if their character prejudices integrity (s.21H). Key employees must supply information and fingerprints on demand (s.55) and may be removed on integrity grounds (s.61).
Rights include enforceability of lottery-related contracts (s.7), statutory exculpation from gambling offences when acting lawfully (s.9), and the ability to seek amendment of licence conditions (s.14(7)). Licensees may invest prize-fund money with approval (s.27(5)), authorise agents to pay small prizes (s.39A), and promote authorised syndicates (s.40). Players have a right to prizes from the fund (s.27(8)(a)) and, after payment into the Consolidated Fund, from the Crown (s.27A(3)). Interested persons may make representations during show-cause processes (s.21G). Administrative review by NCAT is available for disciplinary action and agent-approval withdrawal (s.79A). Existing retail agents enjoy statutory protections against unfavourable variation or termination for convenience during the five-year agency protection period following the 2009 transaction (Schedule 2 clauses 40–50).
Penalties and enforcement
Offences are scattered throughout. Conducting an unauthorised lottery or breaching licence conditions carries 100 penalty units (s.8). False revenue statements attract 100 penalty units or two years imprisonment (s.35). Unauthorised selling, promotion, intermediary services or false prize claims each carry 100 penalty units (ss.43A–43D). Credit betting is 50 penalty units (s.43). Misleading advertising is 50 penalty units, with additional orders for corrective advertising or training (s.39). Minor-related offences are 50 penalty units for licensees/agents and 20 for the minor (ss.44–46). Failure to display rules or minors notices is 10 penalty units (ss.24, 24A). Unauthorised syndicates or advertising thereof carry 20 penalty units (ss.41–42). Failure to notify changed circumstances is 20 penalty units (s.52). Information-supply failures attract 50 penalty units (ss.53–54). Non-compliance with integrity directions is 50 penalty units (ss.59–61). Giving effect to a terminated controlled contract is 100 penalty units (s.66). Corporate officers are personally liable if they knowingly authorise contraventions (s.78).
Disciplinary action is calibrated. Grounds are listed in s.21B and include unsuitability, breach of Act or rules, convictions, ownership changes without consent, insolvency and licence obtained by misrepresentation. Sufficient grounds for suspension or cancellation exist where integrity or public interest is materially jeopardised or duty remains unpaid (s.21D). Available actions include suspension, cancellation (with Treasurer approval), condition amendment, fines up to $250,000, rectification directions and censure (s.21C). A show-cause procedure is mandatory before most actions (s.21E–21G), although immediate suspension is permitted in extraordinary cases (s.21F). Agents may have approvals withdrawn on character grounds after notice and representations (s.21H). Temporary licences may be granted post-cancellation (ss.21J–21K). Monetary penalties are recoverable as debts (s.21C(4)).
Part 7A imports GALA Act investigation powers (entry, search, seizure, questioning) exercisable by inspectors for compliance and administration purposes (ss.70–73). Penalty notices may be issued (s.75A), with payment deemed a conviction for disciplinary purposes. Proceedings must commence within two years (s.76) and may be brought by inspectors, police or prescribed persons (s.77). The Act binds the Crown (s.79).
How it interacts with other laws
The Act is not standalone. Section 6(2) expressly disapplies the Unlawful Gambling Act 1998 and Community Gaming Act 2018 to licensed lotteries. Section 7(2) disapplies s.56 of the Unlawful Gambling Act 1998 to lottery contracts. Keno may only be sold on premises licensed under the Liquor Act 2007 or within a casino under the Casino Control Act 1992 (s.5B(3)). Close-associate and ownership provisions draw definitions from s.9 of the Corporations Act 2001 (s.20(4)). Disciplinary grounds reference convictions under the Unlawful Gambling Act 1998, Community Gaming Act 2018, Gaming Machines Act 2001, Casino Control Act 1992 or prescribed gaming laws (s.21B(3)). Enforcement powers are supplied by modified provisions of the Gaming and Liquor Administration Act 2007 (Part 7A), including inspector appointment, entry, search and secrecy rules (ss.69–73). Duty-sharing arrangements engage laws of participating jurisdictions (s.33). The Sport and Recreation Fund interacts with the Totalizator Act 1997 and Sporting Bodies’ Loans Guarantee Act 1977 (s.34). Secrecy provisions permit disclosure to ICAC, Australian Crime Commission, NSW Crime Commission, Ombudsman and prescribed bodies (s.80(5)). Administrative review lies under the Administrative Decisions Review Act 1997 (s.79A). Regulations may create offences up to 50 penalty units (s.83(3)). Transitional provisions in Schedule 2 reference the repealed Soccer Football Pools Act 1975, Lotto Act 1979 and New South Wales Lotteries Act 1990, preserving certain licences, rules and agreements until replaced. The 2009 amendments interacted with the NSW Lotteries (Authorised Transaction) Act 2009 to facilitate privatisation while protecting agent agreements. Section 37A agreements with interstate authorities operate alongside corresponding laws.
Recent changes and why
The 2009 amendments (NSW Lotteries (Authorised Transaction) Act 2009, Sch 5.1) substituted a new Part 3, introducing the operator/product licence split (s.10), suitability criteria (ss.11–12), disciplinary division (ss.21A–21I), temporary licences (ss.21J–21K) and updated financial provisions. The changes were designed to separate the business operator from individual game authorisations, strengthen integrity controls ahead of the authorised transaction of NSW Lotteries, and align with contemporary gaming regulation. Mandatory Schedule 1 conditions and optional conditions were inserted to standardise licensing.
The 2016 amendments (Public Lotteries Amendment (Keno Licensing) Act 2016) inserted s.5B (keno definition limiting sales to licensed premises), Division 4 of Part 3 (ss.21L–21P) and associated savings. These facilitated a new keno licensing deed poll and Implementation Deed, revoked the existing keno licence, granted new keno licences without ordinary suitability or Treasurer approval hurdles, and preserved rules, prize funds and agency agreements. The purpose was to enable competitive re-tendering of keno while protecting continuity.
The 2018 Liquor and Gaming Legislation Amendment Act transferred enforcement powers to the Secretary, repealed former inspector provisions, inserted Part 7A applying GALA Act machinery, added penalty-notice and proceedings provisions (Part 7B), and updated minor and heading references. The aim was to consolidate gambling enforcement under a single administration statute, reduce duplication and modernise investigative tools.
Schedule 2 has been amended multiple times (2000, 2004, 2009, 2018) to insert new transitional regimes protecting retail agents post-privatisation, validating certain actions and extending time limits for unclaimed prizes. Section 83A (responsible conduct of gambling) was added in 1999 to enable regulations on harm minimisation, advertising and warnings. Each change reflects evolving policy: from basic authorisation in 1996 to a sophisticated integrity, commercial and harm-minimisation regime.
Court challenges and controversies
The source text does not record specific judicial decisions construing the Act after 1996. It does, however, address earlier controversies concerning instant-lottery prize claims. Clause 20 of Schedule 2 (as originally enacted) vacated and set aside any judgment obtained before or after commencement of Division 3 of Part 6 if the claimant’s rights had not been determined in accordance with that Division. It expressly preserved the Court of Appeal’s decision in proceedings between the State Lotteries Office and a claimant (State Lotteries Office v Burgin, CA 40133/93) as between those parties only. Section 51 was inserted to clarify the meaning of “matching 3 numbers” and the status of captions, applying to tickets, advertisements and public statements, and operating retrospectively for instant lotteries conducted under the former New South Wales Lotteries Act 1990 or the current Act. These provisions respond to prior disputes about ticket interpretation and verification codes (s.50), confirming that a ticket failing a verification code or test is not payable even if it appears to show a win (s.50(4)–(5)).
Controversies around the 2009 transaction are addressed in Schedule 2 clauses 34–50, which impose statutory overrides on existing retail agency agreements to prevent unfavourable variation or termination for convenience during the five-year protection period. Clause 38 revokes existing NSW Lotteries licences without compensation. Clause 37 authorises transfer of surplus prize money to the Consolidated Fund on transaction completion. These measures indicate legislative awareness of potential disputes over agent rights and fund ownership. No compensation is payable for revocation of the existing keno licence (s.21O(4)) or for consequences of that revocation. The show-cause and natural-justice provisions in ss.21E–21G, 21H and 79A (NCAT review) were introduced to mitigate procedural fairness concerns that could otherwise arise from Ministerial discretion.
Gotchas
Most practitioners do not realise that “close associate” status (s.5A) can arise from quite indirect financial interests or executive positions if, in the Minister’s opinion, significant influence over the lottery business results. This triggers the full suitability inquiry under s.11 for every new operator licence, transfer (s.19) and periodic review (s.21A), with costs recoverable from the licensee. A financial institution is expressly excluded only where its interest is solely financial (s.5A(3)), so mezzanine or convertible facilities require careful structuring.
The definition of “subscriptions” (s.4) excludes ancillary service charges and commission unless the Act or licence expressly provides otherwise; yet ss.26(3), 28(4) and 29(6) allow the licence to pull commission back into the base for prize-fund and duty calculations. Misalignment between the licence conditions and the statutory text can produce unexpected duty liabilities or shortfalls in the prize fund.
Section 18(3) is a subtle carve-out: an exclusive operator licence does not create exclusivity for keno, allowing parallel keno licences during the exclusivity period. Conversely, the keno-specific premises restriction in s.5B(3) (limited to club, hotel or casino premises under the Liquor Act 2007 or Casino Control Act 1992) means that a general lottery operator cannot easily expand keno into newsagencies or supermarkets without breaching the product licence.
Unclaimed prizes must be paid into the Consolidated Fund “as directed by the Minister with the approval of the Treasurer and after consultation with the licensee” (s.27A(2)). The Crown then assumes liability (s.27A(3)). Licensees sometimes assume they retain an indefinite reserve; the one-year definition in s.4 and the mandatory payment direction can produce sudden cash-flow impacts and accounting adjustments.
Schedule 1 mandatory conditions require demonstration of equipment and system integrity for registration and processing of entries. This is broader than many operators initially appreciate and can encompass back-end RNG certification, data-centre security and real-time monitoring not explicitly listed in the operator licence itself.
The agency-protection regime in Schedule 2 clauses 40–50 survives only for “existing retail agency agreements” as at transaction completion. Any new agreement entered after that date, even with the same newsagent, falls outside the statutory lock-in. Variations to fit-out, terminal or funds-transfer obligations during the five-year period require the agent’s written consent; many compliance teams overlook this and inadvertently trigger breach claims or disciplinary grounds under s.21B.
Section 21B(1)(j) catches any dealing in securities or instruments that, in the Minister’s opinion, affects control, even if below the 20 per cent threshold in s.20. Combined with the broad “relevant power” definition in s.5A, this can capture shareholder agreements or financing covenants that appear innocuous.
Finally, s.27(8)(e) and the regulation-making power in s.27(10) allow the Minister to dispose of residual prize-fund money when a licence ceases. Licensees winding down operations have been surprised to discover that the Minister, not the licensee, controls the ultimate destination of any surplus once the licence is no longer in force.
How to comply
Compliance begins with corporate structure. Only corporations may hold licences (s.10(4)). Applicants must demonstrate suitability of the company, all close associates, directors, executives and key employees (s.11). A detailed submission addressing each matter in s.11(2)(a)–(i) plus any other matters the Minister chooses to consider is required. Ownership must be stable; any acquisition pushing voting power over 20 per cent (or such other prescribed percentage) needs prior written Ministerial consent (s.20). Changes of key employees or agents must be notified within 14 days (or 14 days after becoming aware) if prescribed (s.52).
Licence conditions (Schedule 1) are non-negotiable on core matters: procedures for product-licence applications, integrity of registration and processing systems, compliance with rules, and (for operator licences) Treasurer approval of duty conditions. Optional conditions on commission rates, prize minima, subsidisation, security, advertising and agent approvals should be negotiated upfront. Once granted, a licensee must maintain separate prize funds for each lottery type (s.25A), pay the requisite percentage of subscriptions (which may include commission) into the fund before prizes are paid (s.26), and remit general and licence duty within seven days after entries close or such other period as determined (ss.28–29). Late payment triggers additional duty at 10 per cent per month unless the Treasurer forgoes it (s.30). Accurate records of subscriptions, commission, outgoings, player loss and unclaimed prizes must be kept and audited as conditioned.
Rules must be drafted, submitted for Ministerial approval, gazetted and displayed or available free on request at every sales point (ss.22–24). An extract may be displayed if the Minister directs, but a full copy must still be kept on site (s.24(3)). Minors notices must be prominently displayed whenever entries are accepted (s.24A). Advertising must comply with any regulatory standards on inducements, warnings and responsible-gambling messages (s.39 and s.83A). Anonymity requests must be respected; only venue and prize amount may be published (s.38).
Agents must be appointed or approved under licence conditions. Their criminal history and reputation are relevant; the Minister may withdraw approval after notice and representations if integrity is likely to be prejudiced (s.21H). Existing retail agents post-2009 transaction enjoy five-year protection against unfavourable variation or termination for convenience (Schedule 2 cl 40); any new agreements must respect the restrictions in cll 41–43 on premises, numbers and more-favourable terms.
Key employees must supply photographs, fingerprints, palm prints and verified information on demand (s.55). The Commissioner of Police receives copies and reports to the Minister. Failure to comply can result in a direction to terminate the employment or arrangement immediately (s.56). Controlled contracts above $100,000 per annum, or those involving devices, security or public-interest matters, must be notified 28 days (or longer if extended) in advance; the Minister may object (s.63). Public-interest termination can be required after show-cause (s.64).
Ministerial directions to protect integrity (s.59) or terminate agencies or key employees (ss.60–61) must be obeyed on pain of 50-penalty-unit offences. Information and documents must be supplied when required (s.53); privilege against self-incrimination is abrogated but use immunity granted for non-Act proceedings (s.53(2)).
Harm-minimisation policies, staff training, self-exclusion systems and responsible-gambling signage required by regulations or licence conditions must be documented and audited. Annual returns, financial statements and integrity reports must be lodged as conditioned. Internal compliance programs should map every mandatory condition in Schedule 1, track subscriptions versus player loss, reconcile prize funds daily, and maintain a register of unclaimed prizes with the one-year countdown strictly observed.
When a licence is to be surrendered, transferred or expires, arrangements for completion of in-progress lotteries must be pre-approved (ss.19(3)(b), 21I). Surplus prize money may be required to be paid to the Consolidated Fund on transaction events (Schedule 2 cl 37). NCAT review rights for disciplinary decisions and agent-withdrawal decisions should be preserved by ensuring all show-cause representations are fully documented.
In practice, compliance is best achieved by maintaining a live licence-conditions register cross-referenced to rules, a dedicated compliance officer with direct access to the Minister’s office for notifications, real-time prize-fund accounting software validated against s.27 drawing restrictions, and periodic mock audits of agent compliance. Engagement with the industry forum established under Schedule 2 cl 48 can provide early warning of policy shifts. Above all, licensees must treat suitability as ongoing: any adverse change in repute, financial stability or control triggers immediate self-reporting and potential s.21A review, with costs recoverable by the Minister as a debt.
key employee means a person (whether or not appointed under a contract of service) who is—
(a) employed in a managerial or supervisory capacity in relation to the conduct of a public lottery by a licensee, or
(b) authorised to make decisions, involving the exercise of his or her discretion, that regulate the operations of a licensee or an agent in relation to the conduct of a public lottery by the licensee, or
(c) concerned or engaged, in any manner prescribed by the regulations, in the conduct of a public lottery by a licensee.
licence means an operator licence or product licence in force under this Act.
licensee means the holder of a licence.
operator licence—see section 10.
outgoings for a public lottery conducted by a licensee means the amount required to be paid by the licensee in accordance with section 26 (1) into the prize fund for the lottery.
player loss on a public lottery conducted by a licensee means the difference between—
(a) the subscriptions to the public lottery and, if the conditions of the licensee’s licence so require, the commission payable in respect of those subscriptions, and
(b) the outgoings for the public lottery.
product licence—see section 10.
public lottery has the meaning set out in section 5.
rules of a public lottery means the rules relating to the conduct of the public lottery in force under Part 4.
subscriptions to a public lottery means the amounts paid for entries in the public lottery, but does not include the following—
(a) amounts charged to subscribers by the licensee’s agents for providing ancillary services in connection with the subscriptions (as referred to in section 13 (1) (e1)),
(b) commission, unless this Act otherwise expressly provides.
Note—
See sections 26 (3), 28 (4) and 29 (6).
symbol includes amount, word or picture.
unclaimed prize means a prize that remains unclaimed by the prizewinner for a period of one year after the date on which the public lottery to which the prize relates was conducted.
Note—
The Interpretation Act 1987 contains definitions and other provisions that affect the interpretation and application of this Act.
(2) Notes in the text of this Act do not form part of this Act.
s 4: Am 2000 No 44, Sch 7 [1]; 2004 No 13, Sch 1 [1]–[3]; 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [2] [3]; 2016 No 18, Sch 1 [1]; 2018 No 7, Sch 1.11 [1].
5 Meaning of “public lottery”
5 Meaning of “public lottery”
5 Meaning of “public lottery”
(1) For the purposes of this Act, public lottery means any lottery, and includes—
(a) a game of chance (including a game such as draw lottery or bingo) in which—
(i) persons choose or are allocated numbers, and
(ii) certain numbers are subsequently selected at random as prizewinning numbers, and
(iii) prizes are distributed to persons holding the prizewinning numbers, or
(b) a game of chance (including a game such as instant lottery) in which—
(i) certain numbers are designated as prizewinning numbers, and
(ii) persons are allocated numbers that have previously been selected at random, and
(iii) prizes are distributed to persons holding the prizewinning numbers, or
(c) a game of chance (including a game such as lotto, keno or powerball) in which persons choose or attempt to forecast, from designated numbers, fewer numbers to be drawn on a random basis, or
(d) the game known as soccer football pool in which persons choose or attempt to forecast, from designated numbers, fewer numbers that represent the outcome of soccer football matches.
(2) For the purposes of this section, numbers includes—
(a) symbols, or
(b) a single number or symbol, or
(c) a group or groups of numbers or of symbols (or of numbers and symbols), or
(d) a combination or combinations of numbers or of symbols (or of numbers and symbols), or
(e) a distribution or distributions of numbers or of symbols (or of numbers and symbols).
(3) For the purposes of this section, a person chooses numbers if the person chooses the numbers personally or if the numbers are chosen for the person.
5A Meaning of “close associate”
5A Meaning of “close associate”
5A Meaning of “close associate”
(1) For the purposes of this Act, a person is a close associate of another if the person—
(a) holds or will hold any relevant financial interest, or is or will be entitled to exercise any relevant power (whether in his or her own right or on behalf of any other person), in the lottery business of the other person, and by virtue of that interest or power is or will be able (in the opinion of the Minister) to exercise a significant influence over or with respect to the management or operation of that business, or
(b) holds or will hold any relevant position, whether in his or her own right or on behalf of any other person, in the lottery business of the other person.
(2) In this section—
lottery business means the business conducted or to be conducted by a person under the authority of an operator licence.
relevant financial interest, in relation to a business, means—
(a) any share in the capital of the business, or
(b) any entitlement to receive any income derived from the business, or to receive any other financial benefit or financial advantage from the carrying on of the business, whether the entitlement arises at law or in equity or otherwise, or
(c) any entitlement to receive any rent, profit or other income in connection with the use or occupation of premises on which the lottery business of the other person is to be carried on (such as, for example, an entitlement of the owner of premises to receive rent as lessor of the premises).
relevant position means—
(a) the position of director, manager or secretary, or
(b) any other position, however designated, if it is an executive position.
relevant power means any power, whether exercisable by voting or otherwise and whether exercisable alone or in association with others—
(a) to participate in any directorial, managerial or executive decision, or
(b) to elect or appoint any person to any relevant position.
(3) A financial institution is not a close associate for the purposes of this section by reason only of having a relevant financial interest in relation to a business.
s 5A: Ins 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [4].
5B Meaning of “keno”
5B Meaning of “keno”
5B Meaning of “keno”
(1) For the purposes of this Act, keno means a game of chance that has the following essential features—
(a) the selection of 20 winning numbers from the set of numbers 1 to 80,
(b) each individual draw is conducted and completed within a 24 hour period,
(c) subscriptions are sold only to persons who at the time of sale are on the licensed premises of a club, hotel or casino (regardless of the manner or means of sale).
(2) The sale of a multi-game entry does not commence the individual draws to which the multi-game entry relates (so the requirement that each individual draw is conducted and completed within a 24 hour period does not require the draws to which a multi-game entry relates to be conducted and completed within 24 hours after the sale of the multi-game entry).
(3) In this section—
licensed premises of a club, hotel or casino means—
(a) licensed premises to which a club licence under the Liquor Act 2007 relates, or
(b) licensed premises to which a hotel licence under the Liquor Act 2007 relates, or
(c) premises that form part of a casino within the meaning of the Casino Control Act 1992.
multi-game entry means an entry in a number of consecutive games of keno, starting with the game that is open when the entry is sold.
s 5B: Ins 2016 No 18, Sch 1 [2].
Part 2 Conduct of public lotteries
Part 2 Conduct of public lotteries
Part 2 Conduct of public lotteries
6 Public lotteries not unlawful
6 Public lotteries not unlawful
6 Public lotteries not unlawful
(1) A public lottery conducted by a licensee is not unlawful, despite the provisions of any other Act or law.
(2) In particular—
(a) any such public lottery is not an unlawful game for the purposes of the Unlawful Gambling Act 1998, and
(b) the Community Gaming Act 2018 does not apply to or in respect of any such public lottery.
s 6: Am 1998 No 113, Sch 2.11 [1] [2]; 2018 No 60, Sch 2.6[1].
7 Contracts or agreements relating to public lotteries enforceable
7 Contracts or agreements relating to public lotteries enforceable
7 Contracts or agreements relating to public lotteries enforceable
(1) An agreement is not to be regarded as void or voidable, or otherwise unenforceable, merely because it relates to, or is made for the purposes of, a public lottery conducted by a licensee.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), section 56 of the Unlawful Gambling Act 1998 does not apply to or in respect of such a public lottery.
s 7: Am 1998 No 113, Sch 2.11 [2] [3].
8 Unlawful conduct of public lottery by licensee
8 Unlawful conduct of public lottery by licensee
8 Unlawful conduct of public lottery by licensee
A licensee who conducts a public lottery is guilty of an offence if—
(a) the licence does not authorise the conduct of that public lottery or public lotteries of that kind, or
(b) the public lottery is conducted in contravention of a requirement of or made under this Act, the regulations, the rules or the conditions of the licence.
Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.
9 Exculpation of certain persons from certain offences
9 Exculpation of certain persons from certain offences
9 Exculpation of certain persons from certain offences
(1) A person is not guilty of an offence under any law merely because—
(a) the person is an entrant in a public lottery conducted by a licensee, or
(b) the person is or acts for a licensee and the person conducts a public lottery in accordance with the requirements of or made under this Act, the regulations, the rules and the conditions of the licensee’s licence, or
(c) in relation to a public lottery conducted by a licensee in the manner referred to in paragraph (b), the person—
(i) is concerned in the conduct of the public lottery, or
(ii) prints or publishes any thing relating to the conduct of the public lottery, or
(iii) is the owner or occupier of any premises used for the purpose of, or in connection with, the conduct of the public lottery, or
(d) the person prints or publishes the results of, or information as to the prize money payable in respect of, a public lottery conducted under a corresponding law.
(2) This section does not affect any offence against this Act.
s 9: Am 1998 No 113, Sch 2.11 [4].
Part 3 Licences to conduct public lotteries
Part 3 Licences to conduct public lotteries
Part 3 Licences to conduct public lotteries
pt 3: Subst 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
Division 1 Grant of licences
Division 1 Grant of licences
Division 1 Grant of licences
pt 3, div 1, hdg: Ins 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
10 Operator licences and product licences
10 Operator licences and product licences
10 Operator licences and product licences
(1) The Minister can grant the following kinds of licences for the purposes of this Act—
(a) an operator licence, which is a licence to conduct any public lottery for which the licensee holds a product licence,
(b) a product licence, which is a licence for a particular public lottery that is issued to the licensee under an operator licence to authorise the licensee to conduct the particular public lottery.
(2) The grant of an operator licence requires the approval of the Treasurer.
(3) A product licence can only be held by the holder of an operator licence.
(4) Both kinds of licence can only be held by a corporation or by 2 or more corporations jointly.
s 10: Am 1999 No 49, Sch 4 [1]. Subst 2009 No 60, Sch 5.1 [5].
11 Considerations for grant of operator licence
11 Considerations for grant of operator licence
11 Considerations for grant of operator licence
(1) The Minister is not to grant an operator licence to a person (the applicant) unless satisfied that the applicant and each close associate of the applicant is a suitable person to be concerned in or associated with the management and operation of the business (the lottery business) to be conducted under the licence.
(2) For the purpose of determining suitability to be concerned in or associated with the management and operation of a lottery business the Minister is to consider whether—
(a) the applicant and each close associate is of good repute, having regard to character, honesty and integrity, and
(b) the applicant and each close associate is of sound and stable financial background, and
(c) the applicant has, or has arranged, a satisfactory ownership or corporate structure, and
(d) the applicant
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