New Zealand has passed legislation that will prevent children from purchasing lottery products, closing a loophole in existing gambling legislation.
The Regulatory Systems (Internal Affairs) Amendment Bill has completed its third and final reading in Parliament. Once the change comes into force, all lottery products will be subject to a clear 18-plus age restriction.
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden said the amendment addresses an unintended consequence within the Gambling Act, which had effectively meant that age restrictions did not apply to every type of lottery ticket. As a result, minors were able to buy certain products, including tickets for Lotto NZ’s twice-weekly draw.
She described the reform as a straightforward correction designed to ensure clarity for both retailers and consumers, and to prevent children from inadvertently participating in gambling activities.
Beyond gambling regulation, the Bill introduces amendments to 30 separate Acts administered by the Department of Internal Affairs. Among the changes are strengthened powers to share information with international law enforcement agencies to combat objectionable online material. The legislation also allows passports to be cancelled where data has been compromised and simplifies processes for organisations offering the RealMe identity verification service.
Further amendments expand the Department’s powers to prevent excessive donations to fertility clinics, allow the Chief and Deputy Chief Censor to delegate responsibilities to improve operational efficiency, and streamline levy administration for insurers under the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017.
Van Velden said that while many of the amendments are technical in nature, together they represent a significant improvement in regulatory clarity and departmental efficiency, adding that the Bill passed with full support of the House.
The amendment forms part of a wider regulatory clean-up aimed at improving the efficiency of the Department of Internal Affairs
