“These illegal machines are creating a huge risk for the older Pennsylvanians who rely upon the programs the Lottery funds,” said Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko. “The Games of Skill machines are appearing across the state and we are deeply concerned the harm will only increase. Senator Tomlinson’s legislation will crack down on the machines and preserve hundreds of millions of dollars that help seniors afford prescriptions, transportation, meals and more.”

At least 13 offshore gambling websites are using New Zealand website addresses, and one is using the New Zealand coat of arms. While the sites have addresses ending in “.nz” they are not run from within New Zealand or subject to New Zealand’s stringent gambling regulations.

According to the NLC chairperson Professor Alfred Nevhutanda, illegal lotteries are robbing good causes of valuable support from the Commission. Nevhutanda said that illegal lotteries are debilitating the potential of the NLC to support good causes and that it’s time for all stakeholders to work together to solve this scourge. Nevhutanda said a joint task force, including the SA Police Service, has already been established and would like to see the NLC being given the mandate to “declare war” on those impinging on the National Lottery. “It is my plea that the Department of Trade and Industry gives us teeth to bite,” said Nevhutanda