Responsible gambling
Since 1931, NSW Lotteries has developed a reputation for probity and social responsibility in the way it conducts its business activities. While most observers do not classify lottery play as "real" gambling, the Corporation was one of the first participants in the gaming industry to actively respond to community concern over problem gambling.
The NSW Lotteries Responsible Gambling Program, introduced in 1998, is tailored to the specific requirements of the lottery industry and players. The program comprises a number of elements covering the sale and promotion of lottery products - a national Code of Practice, an Advertising Code of Practice, the responsible play message - NSW Lotteries encourages you to play responsibly, and compliance activities. These initiatives demonstrate the Corporation's commitment to ensuring that all possible action is taken to minimise any negative impacts from the sale and promotion of our products.
Since November 2001, NSW Lotteries has been working with its retail network to implement the requirements of the NSW Government's Responsible Gaming Regulation, which requires:
- The odds to be displayed in any how to play information
- Odds and Gambling Help message on the corporate website
- Provision for all online tickets and entry forms to carry the Gambling Help message
- Poster with Gambling Help message
- Gambling Help message on all print advertising
Lotteries and problem gambling
Lottery games are unlikely to be a significant factor in problem gambling compared to "continuous" forms such gaming machines. The key features of lottery games are:
- There is limited opportunity for repeat betting, either in terms of the nature of the sales outlet or in the format of the game;
- The time between draws is generally days, rather than seconds or minutes;
- The size of the prospective prizes is not directly proportionate to the sum invested (compared with race betting where the prize received is entirely dependent on the amount wagered);
- Lottery purchases often form an incidental part of many players' normal life routine;
- Players clearly differentiate lottery games from "continuous" forms of gambling;
- Retail lottery activity takes place in an atmosphere, circumstances or location which is familiar and acceptable to virtually the entire community;
- Chances are essentially random; and
- Very little or no player skill is involved.
Gambling information and assistance
If you want to talk to someone who can help with information, counselling and referral, call Gambling Help on 1800 858 858. Hearing impaired callers contact the Gambling Helpline via the National Relay Service. Counsellors are available at any time, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You don't have to give your name. Interpreter services are available for non-English speakers.
- 1. File description: NSW Responsible Gaming Poster [182.2KB]
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File name: NSW_Responsible_Gaming_Poster_2Nov09.pdf
- 2. File description: ACT Responsible Gaming Poster [248.8KB]
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File name: ACT_Responsible_Gaming_Poster.pdf
- 3. File description: Responsible gambling program [2873.4KB]
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File name: LOT_216127_RespGamingProg_v2.pdf