New Lotteries, Gambling Commission appointments

07 January 2004

Internal Affairs Minister George Hawkins has announced new appointments to the Gambling Commission and the New Zealand Lotteries Commission.

The Gambling Commission is a new, independent statutory decision-making body established under the Gambling Act 2003.

The Commission will provide advice to the Minister, act as a licensing authority in relation to casinos, and be an appeal authority against a range of decisions relating to licensing and enforcement for non-casino gambling.

Peter Wing Ho Chin (Chief Gambling Commissioner) is a partner in the Dunedin law firm Webb Farry, and a longstanding Dunedin City Councilor.

Mary Lythe has a background in the health sector, and is a current member of the Casino Control Authority. Ms Lythe has held a number of government and voluntary sector board appointments.

Kenneth (Mark) Ford holds a number of directorships and is a current member of the Casino Control Authority.

Paul Stanley has a background in Maori Health issues and has held a number of voluntary and community sector committee positions.

All members have been appointed for a term of three years from 1 March 2004.

While the Lottery Grants Board has the role of distributing funds to the community, the Lotteries Commission (NZLC) raises money for the community through the provision of lottery games.

Dr Sally Jo Cunningham has been appointed to the NZLC until 31 October 2006. Dr Cunningham is a Senior Lecturer with the Department of Computer Science at the University of Waikato.