KEY POINTS:
Allowing online Lotto sales is reprehensible and will encourage high risk gambling, the Green Party says.
Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker said yesterday the Government would allow NZ Lotteries to sell Lotto, Powerball, Strike, Big Wednesday and Keno via the internet.
Critics of online gambling have cited it as a major potential cause of problem gambling.
Green Party MP Sue Bradford said it was "reprehensible that the Government is launching a whole new online gaming initiative through the internet sale of Lotto tickets".
She said problem gambling was hurting New Zealanders and the move went against the aim of the 2003 Gambling Act.
"Online gaming is aimed directly at a group of people who are very vulnerable to potential gambling harm - those who are often quite lonely and spend a lot of time on their computers without a lot of other social interactions," Ms Bradford said.
She said $150 a week was too much for many people to afford to lose on gambling and could be higher if multiple credit cards were used.
Mr Barker said several safeguards would be put in place around the NZ Lotteries products to help users gamble responsibly.
Players would be required to register online, would be limited to one account and would be required to set their own weekly and monthly spending limits, which could not be exceeded.
"Players will also be able to see how much they have won or lost over the year.
"NZ Lotteries will monitor players who consistently spend to the maximum and will contact them to offer support and problems gambling helpline information."
Mr Barker said the online system would be a big improvement on existing retail sales from which there was little chance to monitor behaviour or identify problems.
Ms Bradford said the safety measures did not justify "what is simply a push by the Lotteries Commission to maximise profits".
She said pokies were a far greater evil than Lotto but the online Lotto would put more people at risk.
- NZPA
