{"id":777037093,"date":"2026-01-23T07:53:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T10:53:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/asia-pacific\/?p=777037093"},"modified":"2026-04-21T15:04:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T18:04:42","slug":"guilty-plea-entered-in-trial-over-new-zealands-largest-illegal-online-lottery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/asia-pacific\/guilty-plea-entered-in-trial-over-new-zealands-largest-illegal-online-lottery","title":{"rendered":"Guilty plea entered in trial over New Zealand’s largest illegal online lottery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
The case is the first successful prosecution involving an illegal online lottery in New Zealand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
New Zealand.- A Christchurch-based company and its director have pleaded guilty in the Christchurch District Court to running New Zealand\u2019s largest illegal online lottery. Waiariki McIlroy-Jones, owner and director of Jonez LRC Ltd, admitted to conducting illegal gambling and making a pecuniary gain from it under the Gambling Act 2003<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The operation allegedly generated more than NZ$11m (US$6.9m)<\/strong> in revenue in just over a year. The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) said lotteries of this scale with prizes above NZ$5,000 (US$3,140) must be conducted through authorised not-for-profit societies with Class 3 licences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An investigation that included searches across Christchurch and North Canterbury found that participants purchased entries online for chances to win high-value cars, boats, caravans, cash and a freehold house estimated at around NZ$900,000 (US$565,000)<\/strong> at the time authorities intervened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The DIA\u2019s Director of Gambling, Vicki Scott, described the scheme as the largest illegal lottery identified in New Zealand to date and that the prosecution sends a clear message about enforcement. \u201cMr McIlroy-Jones sought to pass off his online lottery as a sales promotion scheme entirely for personal gain,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Court records show more than 287,000 entries<\/strong> were purchased by 69,500 customers<\/strong> over roughly 12 months, with the lottery\u2019s revenue continuing to grow even as the DIA prepared its case. Money and assets linked to operation are subject to a High Court restraining order. Police will seek forfeiture under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The case is the first successful prosecution in New Zealand involving an illegal online lottery. McIlroy-Jones and Jonez LRC are scheduled to return to court for sentencing on May 29<\/strong><\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n