New game 'targeted at young people'

Public health promoter for the Salvation Army's Tauranga Addictions in Gambling Yvonne McLean is concerned a new Lotto game will encourage minors to gamble. Photo / John Borren

A new Lotto game to be launched could be the start of a slippery slope into gambling for young people, according to Tauranga addiction services.

The new game, "Play 3", will have no age restriction. It was approved in the middle of last year and revealed in Lotto NZ's recent briefing to incoming Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne.

A Lotto spokeswoman said the game rules were still in development and would be subject to ministerial approval but it will be a simple draw-based game. Players can play three single-digit numbers between 0 and 9 to form a three-digit number. Public health promoter for the Salvation Army's Tauranga Addictions in Gambling Yvonne McLean said the proposal was a concern. "All gambling should have an age restriction on it to help prevent it becoming another 'gateway for minors, and others, to access gambling' and we wait with concern to see if Lotto will consider this when implementing new avenues for profit," she said. "It is looking like it is targeting minors. We should not be making it easier for minors to gamble."

Instant Kiwi is the only Lotto game which has an age restriction. Lotto and Big Wednesday do not.

Tauranga Problem Gambling Foundation psychologist Margaret Sloan agreed the new game was unnecessary.

"It seems to me that it's another form of gambling that's being targeted at young people."

There was little doubt there would be some sort of incentive such as a jackpotting prize to hook people in, she said.

"It's a concern. Particularly when a big prize has come up with Lotto. It seems that people buy more tickets as well."

Both women said Countdown's plan to allow the sale of Lotto tickets at regular checkouts was also a dangerous move. "As to the new implementation of Lotto being available at Countdown checkouts our concern is the normalisation of gambling in our society and where it will end. Are we looking at being able to gamble in every shop we visit in the future? This is a concern for those working in the field of addictions," Ms McLean said.

Tauranga Budget Advisory Service co-ordinator Diane Bruin said there was no need for another Lotto option.

"What we do see is when the big draws come in people spend a ridiculous amount of money and they can't afford to survive. It does put pressure on the family," she said.

"I wouldn't encourage anything more that people can gamble on because it's too easy."