M.P.s vote on Lotto

Press, 27 November 1986, Page 1

M.P.s vote on Lotto

PA Wellington An overwhelming majority of members of Parliament supported a bill allowing the gambling game, Lotto, in a conscience vote on the bill’s introduction in Parliament last evening. The vote, on the first stage of the Gaming and Lotteries Amendment Bill, showed 62 members in favour of having the bill brought into the House

and 14 against. The bill was referred to the Internal Affairs and Local Government Select Committee, which will now hear public submissions on the measure. It establishes a New Zealand Lotteries Commission to administer “lotteries,” the definition of which is expanded to include Lotto, a numbers game.

The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Tapsell, sponsoring the bill, said it would set up a five-mem-ber commission including the Secretary for Internal Affairs and others picked for experience, knowledge or skill.

He said the Government was anxious that Lotto’s introduction would not damage the racing industry, and he suggested the commission would be in the best position to consider the industry’s interests.

The Minister also said that Lotto would probably diminish the earnings of the Golden Kiwi lottery, which he said had reached its market poten-

tial, but with Lotto more money would be available to fund community organisations. The Golden Kiwi was not producing enough funds to satisfy the current demands of arts, community. recreation and sports groups, Mr Tapsell said. The Opposition’s House leader, Mr Bill Birch, said his party’s members would be free to vote on the measure according to conscience. The Chief Government Whip, Dr M. J. Cullen said Labour members could also vote on that basis on the Lotto sections of the bill.

Some members expressed concern about Lotto, Mr R. McD. Gray (Nat., Clutha) saying it

was a family game which would encourage people to gamble at a very early age. Mr G. E. Lee (Nat., Hauraki) said he was personally concerned it would put the family under "severe duress.” “Lotto, in my mind, clearly suggests new gambling dollars," Mr Lee said. Mr T. J. Young (Lab., Eastern Hutt), opposed the Lotto provision, saying the game would appeal to people’s "base motives” to gamble. He said he would like to see a severe limitation on advertising to encourage players. Mr J. A. Banks (Nat., Whangarei), said that an opinion poll last year had shown a 70 per cent support for the game.