Wine prize must be withdrawn

18/11/2008
The Department of Internal Affairs reminds advertising agencies and businesses that liquor cannot be offered as a prize in sales promotions and customer loyalty scheme draws.

It has told a winemaker to withdraw its offer of a case of Pinot Noir in a sales promotion prize draw. The main part of the prize is a weekend for two people in Marlborough.

The Department’s Gambling Compliance Director, Mike Hill, said sales promotion schemes are classified as gambling under the Gambling Act 2003 and it is illegal to offer liquor as a gambling prize.

“Advertising agencies and their clients should be aware of the Gambling Act when devising sales promotions,” Mike Hill said.

“Last year we had to warn liquor stores that points won in customer loyalty scheme draws could not be used to purchase alcohol. The same applies to sales promotions.”

Prohibited prizes are:

• A firearm, explosive (including ammunition), restricted weapon, or airgun
• Liquor
• Tobacco products
• A taonga tuturu (an object more than 50 years old that relates to Maori culture, history or society, and was manufactured, modified, used, or brought into New Zealand by Mäori)
• Vouchers or entitlements to commercial sexual services
• Vouchers or entitlements to any of the other property listed above.

Detailed information about sales promotions and prohibited prizes is available on the Department’s website.
Media contact:
Trevor Henry, communications adviser, Department of Internal Affairs
Ph 04 495 7211; cell 0275 843 679