Liquor & Gaming NSW has opened a public consultation on the proposed Public Lotteries Regulation 2026, as the current regulation is scheduled to expire on 1 September 2026. The review forms part of the state's legislative process to ensure gambling regulations remain effective, relevant and aligned with community expectations.
The proposed regulation would largely preserve the existing framework governing public lotteries while introducing several targeted updates designed to modernise the system. Among the key changes are the removal of references to cheque payments, reflecting Australia's broader transition away from cheques, and new requirements for responsible gambling information to be displayed on both lottery websites and mobile applications.
Other proposed amendments include removing outdated provisions relating to unclaimed lottery winnings and simplifying notification requirements for certain contract extensions between operators and service providers. Regulators say the changes are intended to improve clarity, consistency and administrative efficiency while maintaining existing consumer protections.
According to the Regulatory Impact Statement, allowing the current regulation to lapse without replacement would significantly weaken oversight of public lotteries and remove important responsible gambling safeguards. Officials concluded that renewing the regulation with targeted amendments offers the strongest balance between regulatory effectiveness and industry practicality.
The regulation supports the operation of the Public Lotteries Act 1996, which governs products such as Lotto, Powerball, Oz Lotto, Lucky Lotteries, Set for Life, Instant Scratch-Its and Keno. It also establishes responsible gambling requirements, advertising standards and consumer protection measures for lottery participants.
Stakeholders, industry participants and members of the public are invited to submit feedback before the consultation closes on 10 July. Following the review process, the final regulation is expected to be published later this year and take effect from September 2026.
Lotteries remain the most common form of gambling in New South Wales, with 40.9% of adults participating in a lottery during the past 12 months
