New Zealand: lotteries remain working but only online

Lotteries will be played online and winners will have to wait to claim for their prizes until the stores are reopened.

New Zealand.- After announcing the closure of all casinos as part of the measures taken by the government to contain the spread of Coronavirus in the country, now it is time to close all lotteries.

From Thursday all Lotto counters at pharmacies, dairies, petrol stations and supermarkets will be closed with sales and draws being shifted online. The physical draw will be replaced by computer-generated results. 

“Our priority during this time is to protect the safety and wellbeing of our customers, team members, retailers and all New Zealanders,” Lotto chief executive Chris Lynn, said in a statement. “We’re very used to running computer-generated draws as they are regularly run this way for Keno and Bullseye.”

Prizes must still be claimed in person so winners will have to wait until the stores reopen.