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Lottery jackpots of up to $670 million could become available to New Zealanders after the Lotteries Commission confirmed it is in talks with 39 operators around the world for a global monthly lottery.
British lottery operator Camelot said it was also planning a "jackpot draw", probably timed to coincide with big holidays such as Christmas, as well as the monthly draws that would each create "up to a hundred millionaires".
Numbers would be drawn from six or seven different global locations and broadcast on television as well as being streamed online.
Revenue would be shared among participating countries for distribution to good causes, once prize money and running costs were deducted.
NZ Lotteries spokeswoman Karen Jones said the commission had been approached and involved in "some very early talks".
The commission believed New Zealanders would want to take part, to gain access to a much wider playing pool.
Ms Jones did not think it would have a negative effect on our own national lottery.
"We believe it would be complementary," she said.
Reports have put the top prize at up to A3;250 million ($670m), but Ms Jones said the world lottery would have many winners.
"The intention is to create not one massive prize winner, but lots of millionaires in lots of countries."
Camelot announced its plans as part of a bid to renew its licence as Britain's national lottery operator.
An announcement on who will hold the new 10-year licence from 2009 is expected next week.
The plan also hinges on forging agreement between lottery operators in Europe and the United States.
It is understood the first draw would not be until next year at the earliest, but there is speculation it could be up to five years away.
A word of warning though: those hoping to scoop the top prize will probably face odds of more than 100 million to one.
- NZPA
