Latest news with #Napier-based
NZ Herald
01-08-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Game on: Lotto seeks Powerball rule change by 2027 - will Govt play ball?
'I will be presented with the proposed changes for approval later this year.' The current odds of winning Lotto Powerball are 1 in 38m. Should Lotto add one extra Powerball number, the odds would decrease to 1 in 42.2m. Every extra ball added would lower the odds. Lotto NZ wouldn't be drawn on how many extra balls it wants to add to the draw. Lotto NZ's new Statement of Performance Expectations for 2026 says game bosses aim to make the change at the start of the 2027 financial year - delayed from their original date of January 2026. Under the heading 'Performance Drivers' it said updating Powerball would be a key focus for the next year. 'Powerball has not changed since 2017, despite population growth, player behaviour changes and the erosion of prize value in real terms,' the document read. Lotto players are expected to play for more regular top-dollar Powerball jackpots should a matrix change come into force in 2027. Photo / Ben Fraser 'We are therefore reviewing how this game is structured to ensure it will continue to drive sales, engage customers and support our strategy of responsible and stable growth. 'A 'matrix change' would increase the number of Powerballs in the draw, increasing the likelihood of higher average jackpots.' Lotto NZ's proposed Powerball change needs sign off from its Government stakeholders. Photo / Michael Bradley Lotto NZ told the Herald ticket sales are the highest they've ever been - meaning Powerball is being struck more regularly. More regular wins means fewer of the more exciting mega-jackpots - like the $50m draws that attract 'exponential' ticket sales. What will the proposed change mean? To win Lotto Powerball, players currently have to get all six first division numbers - and the Powerball. There are 10 balls in the Powerball draw, numbered one to 10. The current odds of winning Lotto Powerball are 1 in 38m. Should one extra Powerball number be added, the odds would decrease to 1 in 42.2m. Adding two balls would see the odds drop to 1 in 46m, while increasing the size of the Powerball draw to 15 balls would see the odds dwindle to 1 in 57.5m. Current soaring sales are seeing Powerball being struck more regularly, which has reduced the frequency of high-stakes mega draws. The matrix change would decrease the number of wins, increasing the frequency of $50 million draws, lotto said. 'It's important that lottery games continue to evolve so that games remain compelling to players, prize value is not eroded through inflation, and the odds of winning move in line with population growth,' Lotto NZ chief innovation and product officer Ben Coney told the Herald. 'Our enduring interest is in having a Powerball game that is appealing to our customers, generates consistent profit for distribution to the community and allows for responsible growth over time.' Neil Reid is a Napier-based senior reporter who covers general news, features and sport. He joined the Herald in 2014 and has 33 years of newsroom experience. Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
25-07-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Lotto wars: Global gambling syndicate blocked from buying Powerball tickets
He said overseas sites 'on-sell lottery tickets from a range of jurisdictions' and offer copycat versions of national lotteries. 'It's generally difficult to detect the acquisition of physical tickets from Lotto NZ for resale internationally because the initial purchases can be made anonymously in store' Hine said. Lotto NZ would not be drawn on how it detected the attempted ticket purchases by the gambling syndicate, or how it then blocked the sales. Lotto fever gripped New Zealand ahead of last year's $50 million Must Be Won draw. Photo / Sylvie Whinray Purchasing tickets here and reselling them on overseas websites, is 'in contravention of our rules' he said. 'They may be sold without responsible gambling controls in place, marketed using dated and inaccurate information, and could cause confusion for purchasers through the misuse of Lotto NZ's brand imagery and intellectual property.' The global online gambling market – including online casino, lottery and sports and racing markets - is estimated at $97 billion, with a study by market research company FNF Research predicting it will grow to $306b by 2030. This comes as Lotto NZ considers a facelift for Powerball, considered its flagship game. TheLotter's version of Powerball sees the same draw details and gameplay as Lotto NZ's game. Photo / Michael Bradley The Herald revealed last month that Lotto NZ bosses are keen to increase the number of balls in the Powerball draw. Lotto NZ chief innovation and product officer Ben Coney told the Herald the five-year strategy to 2029 includes 'changing the odds by adding more balls to the Powerball machine' and evolving the game. The change will require government approval and Lotto NZ is already seeking permission for what has been described as a 'matrix change' for the game. The current odds of winning Lotto Powerball are 1 in 38m. Should Lotto add one extra Powerball number, the odds would decrease to 1 in 42.2m. Lotto NZ says ticket sales are the highest they've ever been - meaning Powerball is being struck more regularly. More regular wins means fewer of the more exciting mega-jackpots - like the $50m draws that attract 'exponential' ticket sales. 'The details of exactly what we will change and what it would mean for subject to regulatory consultation and ministerial approval' Coney said. 'We continue to our government stakeholders about the potential shape of any change.' Neil Reid is a Napier-based senior reporter who covers general news, features and sport. He joined the Herald in 2014 and has 33 years of newsroom experience. Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
18-06-2025
- Scoop
Napier Man Sentenced To Intensive Supervision For Distributing Child Sexual Exploitation Online
A Napier-based man in his 20's has been granted permanent name suppression and sentenced to two years intensive supervision and six months community detention. This follows his appearance at the Napier District Court on 17 June 2025, after an investigation by the Department of Internal Affairs' Digital Child Exploitation team. The offender had earlier pled guilty to four representative charges relating to the distribution and possession of online child sexual abuse material. He became a person of interest to the Department of Internal Affairs after they received three referrals from the US-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) with an email address that, through investigation, was attributed to the offender. A search warrant was then executed at his home address where investigators located and seized two devices for further examination. Forensic analysis of the devices found movie and image files depicting child sexual exploitation and abuse with children as young as 21 months of age. 'These images capture a real crime scene. Child sexual exploitation material depicts real children who have been sexually abused and exploited for these files to be created,' says Tim Houston, Manager of the Digital Child Exploitation Team. As part of his sentence, Judge Mackinstosh ordered the iPhone used during the offending to be forfeited and all objectionable material destroyed. About Department of Internal Affairs' Digital Child Exploitation Team: In 2024, the Digital Child Exploitation team conducted 69 investigations into child exploitation and helped to safeguard 14 New Zealand children from harm. Additionally, the Digital Child Exploitation Filtering System blocked over one million attempts to access websites hosting child sexual abuse material. Support and Resources Parents and caregivers are encouraged to engage with their tamariki about safe online practices. Advice and support for parents and caregivers on protecting their children online is available at If you have concerns about potential online harm or wish to report a crime, contact the Digital Child Exploitation Team at DIA. For situations where abuse is occurring or a child is in immediate danger, contact the Police at 111. Victims of child or sexual abuse crimes can access help and support services by contacting: Safe to Talk: 0800 044 334 Text 4334 If you are concerned about your own or someone else's sexual behaviour, please reach out for support: Safe Network: 09 377 9898 WellStop: 04 566 4745 STOP: 03 353 0257 Stand Strong, Walk Tall Notes: DIA uses the term child sexual abuse imagery. The term child pornography downplays the harm of child sexual abuse. For more information on the role of the Digital Child Exploitation Team, what is online child sexual exploitation and how to report it visithttps://
