Lotto Plans to Launch Online Bingo Platform in New Zealand
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New Zealand’s Own Online Bingo Platform
However, many have opposed this decision of the lottery company. Several people have objected to this decision of Lotto by stating that the advent of online bingo platform is a “high-risk form of gambling.”
On the other hand, the state-owned lottery company would have to prove this decision in its favour. The company will invite the reputed casino software developers in the gambling industry by a tender. The most suitable organization will be chosen to develop and offer the digital bingo game by the middle of 2022. There are already many online casinos in NZ that provide online bingo games, Lotto would have to strive hard to attract the customers.
This is not the first time this lottery company is experiencing online activities as it generates over 30% revenue from digital sales. Nonetheless, the advent of Lotto’s online bingo is not expected to be smooth. The PGF (Problem Gambling Foundation) has asked the company to present an in-depth plan of how it will offer responsible gambling functions to the kiwi players.
PGF has asked, in particular, about the plans of Lotto NZ to protect the Pasifika people from the problem of addiction to gambling. Andree, Marketing and Communication Director at PGF has stated that bingo could be addictive like slot games. She disagreed with Lotto’s claim of bingo being a less addictive and medium risk game.
She added that bingo is similar to the pokies. In pokies games, players are enticed to play more and more, bingo does the same by engaging players for a long time.
It Can Be Good as Well
On the other hand, Peter Adams, a professor at the School of the Population Health University of Auckland, has stated that Lotto has taken several steps to reduce the harm of gambling. It has taken the necessary decisions to protect the players.
Gambling can be used to raise funds for the society as well as some communities, he added. Pasifika community uses this lottery game for raising funds, so the argument remains the same whether they will be affected or not.
Many speculate that the arrival of online bingo could be the reason for addiction, Also, it can kill the local communities that depend on the bingo to generate funds for the social causes. But the situation can be changed. For instance, in the UK, the introduction of online bingo has helped to increase the popularity of the game as well as its revenue.
Paula Snowden, Chief Executive at Problem Gambling Foundation, opposes this decision of Lotto. She wants assurance on what responsible gambling features would be taken. How New Zealand players will be protected.
Marie Winfield, Head of Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility at Lotto New Zealand, has assured that the proper responsible gambling steps would be taken and the safe gaming experience would be provided. She also added that over 280k NZ players use foreign online casinos and this is riskier. She claimed that Lotto, with incredible safety measures, would be a reliable alternative to offshore online bingo platforms.
The safety measure may include the age limitation, gameplay time limit, spending limit, and many more. We think it would be better to have a local online bingo platform and this decision of Lotto New Zealand sounds promising.
