State Lottery

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26633, 19 January 1952, Page 6

State Lottery

It is difficult to understand the [ reasons that have prompted the Government to reject a proposal that it [ should establish a State lottery. !New Zealanders every year send many thousands of pounds to overseas lotteries; and there is nothing illegal in this. In view of this fact, the argument that the organisation of a State lottery will encourage gambling is scarcely tenable. It is reasonable to believe that if a State lottery were established most of the money that is now sent out of the country to overseas lotteries would be transferred to the local one, provided that the odds offered were sufficiently attractive. It is of course easy to argue that gambling should not be encouraged; and unquestionably it is a fact that New Zealanders already gamble too much. But [since they will gamble, it can also Ibe argued with justice that it is better for them to spend the money in their own country, where it can be put to good use, than to have it flowing out of New Zealand with little chance of its returning in any sizeable amounts. State lotteries in Australia provide tremendous sums each year for the benefit of hospitals and charities. There can be no doubt that a State lottery here could help to solve some of the most pressing financial problems of our hospital boards. Gambling may be a national evil, but saying so will not stop it. Out of the evil good may spring if money spent on gambling is diverted to purposes affecting communal welfare.