Lotto Amendment Rules 2017
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Version as at 29 September 2025
Lotto Amendment Rules 2017
(LI 2017/6)
Lotto Amendment Rules 2017: revoked, on 29 September 2025, pursuant to rule 67 of the Lotto Rules 2025 (SL 2025/174).
Note
The Parliamentary Counsel Office has made editorial and format changes to this version using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019.
Note 4 at the end of this version provides a list of the amendments included in it.
These rules are administered by the New Zealand Lotteries Commission.
Pursuant to section 243 of the Gambling Act 2003, the New Zealand Lotteries Commission (Lotto New Zealand) makes the following rules after approval by the Minister of Internal Affairs.
Contents
Rules
1 Title
These rules are the Lotto Amendment Rules 2017.
2 Commencement
These rules come into force on 2 April 2017.
3 Principal rules
These rules amend the Lotto Rules 2000 (the principal rules).
4 Rule 2A amended (Application)
(1)
In rule 2A(1), replace “purchased”
with “issued”
.
(2)
In rule 2A(2), replace “purchased”
with “issued”
.
(3)
Revoke rule 2A(3)(a).
(4)
In rule 2A(3)(b), delete “for the purchase of those tickets electronically”
.
5 Rule 3 amended (Interpretation)
(1)
In rule 3, insert in its appropriate alphabetical order:
issued electronically, in relation to a ticket,—
(a)
means a ticket issued by the Commission by electronic means; but
(b)
does not include a ticket issued by any other retailer
(2)
In rule 3, revoke the definition of purchased electronically.
(3)
In rule 3, definition of ticket, paragraph (b), replace “purchased”
with “issued”
.
6 Rule 6 amended (Playing lotto powerball or lotto strike in conjunction with standard lotto)
In rule 6(3), replace “While the condition applies, a standard”
with “A standard”
.
7 Rule 8 amended (Cost of selection)
8 Rule 10 amended (Making a selection)
(1)
After rule 10(a)(iv), insert:
(v)
by making the selection in an electronic manner permitted by the Commission and using that selection to request a ticket from the Commission’s computer system at a retail outlet:
(2)
In rule 10(b), replace “purchased”
with “issued”
.
9 Rule 11 amended (Lotto powerball)
(1)
In rule 11(1)(a), replace “requests from a retailer a lotto powerball selection or makes electronically”
with “makes”
.
(2)
In rule 11(2), replace “requests or selects”
with “makes”
.
10 Rule 19A amended (Application of rules 20 to 27)
(1)
In rule 19A(1), replace “purchased”
with “issued”
.
(2)
In rule 19A(2), replace “purchased”
with “issued”
.
11 Rule 20 amended (Entry into game)
Replace rule 20(3) with:
(3)
The following items have no monetary or prize value and do not in any circumstances constitute evidence of the purchase of a ticket or a selection:
(a)
a coupon:
(b)
a selection made in an electronic manner.
12 Rule 23 amended (Player responsibility)
In rule 23(1)(b), after “ticket”
, insert “that is to be issued”
.
13 New cross-heading above rule 28 inserted
Before rule 28, insert:
Drawing of numbers
14 New cross-heading above rule 30 inserted
After rule 29, insert:
Standard lotto
15 Rule 31 amended (Division of prizes and allocation of prize pool for standard lotto)
(1)
After rule 31(1)(f), insert:
(g)
division seven, being a standard lotto selection that correctly matches, in any order, 3 of the 6 standard lotto winning numbers drawn.
(2)
Replace rule 31(2) with:
(2)
The prize pool for a game of standard lotto determined in accordance with rule 30(1), less any amount set aside for the prize reserve fund under rule 30(2), must be allocated between the prize divisions as follows:
(a)
division one, 32.520% of the prize pool for the game after division seven prizes have been allocated:
(b)
division two, 10.990% of the prize pool for the game after division seven prizes have been allocated:
(c)
division three, 10.900% of the prize pool for the game after division seven prizes have been allocated:
(d)
division four, 2.500% of the prize pool for the game after division seven prizes have been allocated:
(e)
division five, 21.780% of the prize pool for the game after division seven prizes have been allocated:
(f)
division six, 21.310% of the prize pool for the game after division seven prizes have been allocated:
(g)
division seven, $2.80 per winning standard lotto selection in this division to be paid and satisfied with four bonus standard lotto selections in accordance with rule 52A.
(3)
In rule 31(4), after “all prize divisions”
, insert “, except division seven”
.
16 New rule 31AB inserted (Portion of prize pool paid into prize reserve fund if no division one winning selection for standard lotto)
After rule 31A, insert:
31AB Portion of prize pool paid into prize reserve fund if no division one winning selection for standard lotto
If, as a result of any drawing, there is no division one winning selection in a game of standard lotto, the portion of the prize pool that was allocated to division one for that drawing must be paid into the prize reserve fund.
17 New cross-heading above rule 32 inserted
Before rule 32, insert:
Lotto powerball
18 Rule 33 amended (Division of prizes and allocation of prize pool for lotto powerball)
(1)
In rule 33(2)(a), replace “96.86%”
with “94.720%”
.
(2)
In rule 33(2)(b), replace “0.47%”
with “0.850%”
.
(3)
In rule 33(2)(c), replace “0.45%”
with “0.900%”
.
(4)
In rule 33(2)(d), replace “0.11%”
with “0.210%”
.
(5)
In rule 33(2)(e), replace “0.94%”
with “1.760%”
.
(6)
In rule 33(2)(f), replace “1.17%”
with “1.560%”
.
(7)
In rule 33(2)(g), replace “$12”
with “$15”
.
(8)
In rule 33(3)(a), replace “36B and 36C”
with “33C and 33D”
.
19 New rules 33B to 33D inserted
After rule 33A, insert:
33B Threshold amount, maximum number of games, and specified lotto powerball date
(1)
For the purposes of rules 33C and 33D, the Commission—
(a)
must determine for division one—
(i)
the maximum amount of the allocation of the prize pool (the lotto powerball threshold amount); and
(ii)
the maximum number of games of lotto powerball for which a jackpot may occur (the maximum number of lotto powerball games):
(b)
may nominate a specified date on which, if there is no division one winning selection in the drawing of the lotto powerball game on that date, the total division one prize pool that may be won in that game must be added to the prize pool allocation for the next lowest prize division of that game within 1 or more winning selections (the specified lotto powerball date).
(2)
The Commission may, from time to time, revoke a determination made under subclause (1)(a) and make another determination under that subclause that takes effect after the division one prize pool has been won or allocated under the determination being revoked.
(3)
The Commission must, as soon as is reasonably practicable after making a determination or a nomination under subclause (1), give public notice of the determination or nomination in the manner that the Commission thinks fit.
33C Jackpots for lotto powerball
(1)
This rule applies if, as a result of any drawing, there is no division one winning selection for a game of lotto powerball.
(2)
The portion of the available prize pool for the game that was allocated to division one in that drawing must be added, subject to subclause (3), to the division one allocation in the next game (a jackpot).
(3)
A jackpot may not occur—
(a)
if, as at the conclusion of the drawing referred to in subclause (1), the jackpot would result in the division one allocation in the next game exceeding the threshold amount for division one; or
(b)
for more than the maximum number of lotto powerball games for division one.
(4)
If a jackpot may not occur because of subclause (3), the division one allocation must be added to the prize pool allocation for the next lowest prize division with 1 or more winning selections.
33D Specified lotto powerball date
If there is no division one winning selection in a game of lotto powerball on a specified lotto powerball date, the division one prize pool allocation for that game (including any additions under rule 33C) must be added to the prize pool allocation for the next lowest prize division with 1 or more winning selections.
20 New cross-heading above rule 34 inserted
Before rule 34, insert:
Lotto strike
21 Rule 35 amended (Division of prizes and allocation of prize pool for lotto strike)
(1)
In rule 35(2)(a), replace “24.76%”
with “36.910%”
.
(2)
In rule 35(2)(b), replace “11.48%”
with “9.590%”
.
(3)
In rule 35(2)(c), replace “63.76%”
with “53.500%”
.
(4)
In rule 35(2)(d), delete “and subject to”
.
22 New rule 35AA inserted (Commission may determine maximum allocation for lotto strike division one)
After rule 35, insert:
35AA Commission may determine maximum allocation for lotto strike division one
(1)
The Commission may determine the maximum amount that may be allocated to division one out of the prize pool for a game of lotto strike.
(2)
If, in a game of lotto strike, the allocation for division one under rule 35(2)(a) exceeds the maximum allocation determined by the Commission under subclause (1) for that game, the Commission must set aside the amount of the excess from the allocation for division one and pay it into the prize reserve fund.
23 Rule 35A revoked (Portion of prize pool paid into prize reserve fund if no division one winning selection for standard lotto)
Revoke rule 35A.
24 Rules 36A to 36C revoked
Revoke rules 36A to 36C.
25 New cross-heading above rule 37 inserted
Before rule 37, insert:
General provisions
26 Rule 37 amended (Prize reserve fund)
In rule 37(1)(a)(ii), after “rule”
, insert “31A(2), 31AB, 33A(2), 35AA(2), or”
.
27 Rule 38 amended (Reallocation of prize pool if no winning selection in divisions below division one)
(1)
In rule 38(1), delete “(except division four of lotto strike)”
in each place.
(2)
In rule 38(2), delete “(except division four of lotto strike)”
.
(3)
After rule 38(2), insert:
(3)
This rule does not apply to a prize division that has a fixed prize (division seven of standard lotto, division seven of lotto powerball, and division four of lotto strike).
28 Rule 39 amended (More than 1 winning selection in prize division)
(1)
In rule 39(1), delete “(except in division four of lotto strike)”
.
(2)
In rule 39(2), delete “(except in division four of lotto strike)”
.
(3)
After rule 39(3), insert:
(4)
This rule does not apply to a prize division that has a fixed prize (division seven of standard lotto, division seven of lotto powerball, and division four of lotto strike).
29 Rule 46 amended (Ticket validation requirements)
(1)
In rule 46(2)(b), replace “by a retailer through a terminal”
with “through a terminal at a retail outlet”
.
(2)
In rule 46(3), replace “purchased”
with “issued”
.
30 Rule 48A amended (Prizes won through tickets purchased electronically)
(1)
In the heading to rule 48A, replace “purchased”
with “issued”
.
(2)
In rule 48A(1), replace “purchased”
with “issued”
.
(3)
In rule 48A(1)(b), after “purchaser”
, insert “of the ticket”
.
(4)
In rule 48A(2), replace “purchased”
with “issued”
.
31 New rule 52A inserted (Bonus standard lotto selections)
After rule 52, insert:
52A Bonus standard lotto selections
(1)
If the ticket validation requirements and the other requirements of these rules are satisfied in respect of a standard lotto division seven prize, that prize must not be paid and satisfied monetarily.
(2)
The prize must instead be paid and satisfied by the issue of four bonus standard lotto selections on a ticket for the next standard lotto game following the issue of the ticket.
(3)
The four bonus standard lotto selections must be issued to,—
(a)
in the case of a ticket issued in printed form, the bearer of a ticket with a winning division seven selection:
(b)
in the case of a ticket issued electronically, the purchaser of a ticket with a winning division seven selection.
(4)
Bonus standard lotto selections must be chosen on a random basis by the Commission’s computer system.
(5)
Despite subclause (1), when a person claims a division seven prize but there is no standard lotto game on sale,—
(a)
in the case of a ticket issued in printed form, the prize must be the monetary equivalent:
(b)
in the case of a ticket issued electronically, the prize to be credited to the purchaser must be the monetary equivalent.
(6)
Despite subclause (1), when a person presents a ticket containing four bonus standard lotto selections for validation, but there is no standard lotto game on sale,—
(a)
in the case of a ticket issued in printed form, the ticket may be redeemed for the monetary equivalent:
(b)
in the case of a ticket issued electronically, the monetary equivalent will be credited to the purchaser.
(7)
The monetary equivalent for each of the following is $2.80:
(a)
a winning division seven standard lotto selection:
(b)
four bonus standard lotto selections.
32 Rule 53 replaced (Bonus lotto strike selection)
Replace rule 53 with:
53 Bonus lotto strike selection
(1)
If the ticket validation requirements and the other requirements of these rules are satisfied in respect of a lotto strike division four prize, that prize must not be paid and satisfied monetarily.
(2)
The prize must instead be paid and satisfied by the issue of a bonus lotto strike selection on a ticket for the next lotto strike game following the issue of the ticket.
(3)
The bonus lotto strike selection must be issued to,—
(a)
in the case of a ticket issued in printed form, the bearer of a ticket with a winning division four selection:
(b)
in the case of a ticket issued electronically, the purchaser of a ticket with a winning division four selection.
(4)
A bonus lotto strike selection must be chosen on a random basis by the Commission’s computer system.
(5)
Despite subclause (1), when a person claims a division four prize, but there is no lotto strike game on sale,—
(a)
in the case of a ticket issued in printed form, the prize must be the monetary equivalent:
(b)
in the case of a ticket issued electronically, the prize to be credited to the purchaser must be the monetary equivalent.
(6)
Despite subclause (1), when a person presents a ticket containing a bonus lotto strike selection for validation but there is no lotto strike game on sale,—
(a)
in the case of a ticket issued in printed form, the ticket may be redeemed for the monetary equivalent:
(b)
in the case of a ticket issued electronically, the monetary equivalent will be credited to the purchaser.
(7)
The monetary equivalent for each of the following is $1.00:
(a)
a winning division four lotto strike selection:
(b)
a bonus lotto strike selection.
33 Rule 56 amended (Effect on advance selections and multi-draw selections)
In rule 56(3), replace “purchased”
with “issued”
.
Dated at Auckland this 25th day of January 2017.
The Common Seal of the New Zealand Lotteries Commission was, pursuant to a resolution of the Commission, affixed in the presence of:
[Seal]
Judy Kirk,
Presiding Member.
Wayne Pickup,
Chief Executive.
Approved by the Minister of Internal Affairs on the 15th day of December 2016.
Hon Peter Dunne,
Minister of Internal Affairs.
Explanatory note
This note is not part of the rules, but is intended to indicate their general effect.
These rules come into force on 2 April 2017 and amend the Lotto Rules 2000.
The amendments—
add a new bonus ticket prize division (division seven) to standard lotto; and
increase lotto powerball prize allocations in divisions two to seven; and
cap the lotto strike division 1 prize that is payable to the advertised amount (which is consistent with standard lotto and lotto powerball); and
make changes to percentages payable to the prize pool for standard lotto, lotto powerball, and lotto strike; and
increase the price of a standard lotto selection from $0.60 to $0.70; and
increase the price of a lotto powerball selection from $0.60 to $0.80; and
allow games to continue to be played together if lotto strike becomes a stand-alone game; and
allow a player to obtain a ticket from a terminal by using a selection made electronically; and
provide that a selection made electronically has no monetary or prize value; and
reorder Part 2 to provide a logical scheme for the reader to follow by—
adding cross-headings to Part 2; and
revoking rule 35A and inserting its content as new rule 31AB; and
revoking rules 36A to 36C and inserting their content as new rules 33B to 33D.
These rules are a legislative instrument and a disallowable instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2012 and must be presented to the House of Representatives under section 41 of that Act.
Date of notification in Gazette: 9 February 2017.
Notes
1 General
This is a consolidation of the Lotto Amendment Rules 2017 that incorporates the amendments made to the legislation so that it shows the law as at its stated date.
2 Legal status
A consolidation is taken to correctly state, as at its stated date, the law enacted or made by the legislation consolidated and by the amendments. This presumption applies unless the contrary is shown.
Section 78 of the Legislation Act 2019 provides that this consolidation, published as an electronic version, is an official version. A printed version of legislation that is produced directly from this official electronic version is also an official version.
3 Editorial and format changes
The Parliamentary Counsel Office makes editorial and format changes to consolidations using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019. See also PCO editorial conventions for consolidations.
4 Amendments incorporated in this consolidation
Lotto Rules 2025 (SL 2025/174): rule 67
Versions
Lotto Amendment Rules 2017
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