Lucky envelopes

​​​Under the Gaming Control Act 1993, authorised games, including lucky envelopes, may only be conducted by the holder of a minor gaming permit. 

The minor gaming permit holder must comply with the requirements of the Gaming Control Act 1993, and the rules of lucky envelopes as set out below, and any conditions issued on the minor gaming permit.  Failure to comply with these requirements may result in a fine or other disciplinary action.

Under the Gaming Control Act 1993, it is an offence for an individual under the age of 18 to participate in the authorised game of lucky envelopes, and it is an offence for any person to facilitate such participation. 


Rules of lucky envelopes


  • Lucky envelope proceeds must be used for the lawful purposes of the not-for-profit organisation or the charitable purpose specified on the relevant minor gaming permit, and not for the private gain or benefit of any person except by way of charity.
  • When calculating the proceeds to be distributed to the relevant not-for-profit or charitable purpose, the starting point must be the gross proceeds of all lucky envelope ticket sales. The minor gaming permit holder may then deduct:
    • the actual incurred cost of the lucky envelope prizes which have been distributed to lucky envelope winners;
    • the actual incurred cost of purchasing the lucky envelope tickets from a lucky envelope supplier; and
    • any other reasonable and actually incurred operational costs of conducting the lucky envelopes, which must not be more than five percent of the gross proceeds of the lucky envelope ticket sales.
  • No other deductions are permitted, and the remaining proceeds must be distributed in cash (not in goods or services) to the relevant not-for-profit organisation or charitable purpose. 
  • Proceeds must be distributed to the relevant not-for-profit organisation or charitable purpose promptly, and in any event at least every six months​.

  • The minor gaming permit holder must display a completed “Authorised lucky envelopes - information form" in a prominent place near all lucky envelope dispensers and at all locations at which lucky envelope tickets are sold, containing the following complete and accurate information:
    • the name, contact address, and permit number of the minor gaming permit holder;
    • a statement that lucky envelopes must not be sold to anyone under the age of 18 years;
    • a statement that each box of lucky envelopes returns a fixed prize payout of between 63 percent and 75 percent of the gross proceeds of the ticket sales; 
    • the location at which the lucky envelopes are sold;
    • the not-for-profit organisation(s) or charitable purpose(s) which are to receive the proceeds of the lucky envelopes; and

  • the amount of proceeds distributed to each not-for-profit organisation or charitable purpose in the preceding six months (with the first reporting period beginning on the date that the relevant minor gaming permit came into force).

  • The minor gaming permit holder must only sell lucky envelope tickets which have been supplied by a lucky envelope supplier who is listed on the Roll of Recognised Manufacturers and Suppliers of Gaming Equipment.
  • Lucky envelope tickets must comply with the following specifications:
    • tickets must be printed with the name of the supplier, and each ticket from a particular lot must bear a unique identifier;
    • each ticket must be marked with the selling price of that ticket, which must not exceed $2;
    • tickets must offer either a cash prize or a liquor prize;
    • a single available prize must not exceed $500 cash or equivalent retail value of liquor;
    • a box of tickets must return a fixed prize payout of between 63 percent and 75 percent of the gross proceeds of each box; and
    • before opening, each ticket must not disclose whether it represents a win or loss, even when examined with the aid of a bright light source.
  • Anyone involved in the conduct or administration of the lucky envelopes, including the sale of tickets and distribution of prizes, must not purchase a lucky envelope ticket or otherwise participate in the game of lucky envelopes as a player.
  • Lucky envelope tickets must be sold at the ticket value printed on the ticket.
  • Lucky envelope tickets must only be sold at the location(s) specified on the minor gaming permit.  
  • Lucky envelope tickets which offer a liquor prize must only be sold at a premises holding a valid liquor licence or liquor permit granted under the Liquor Licensing Act 1990, during the hours authorised under that licence or permit, and only with the express permission of the relevant liquor licence holder or liquor permit holder.
  • A liquor prize from a winning lucky envelope ticket must not be distributed to the winner if that person appears intoxicated. The winner must be informed that they may retrieve their liquor prize when they are not intoxicated.
  • Lucky envelope dispensers must be located in an area in which they can be under close and constant supervision.
  • Lucky envelope dispensers must not be located in a Restricted Gaming Area or adjacent to any amusement machine or items marketed to attract persons under the age of 18.​

  • The minor gaming permit holder must complete the “Authorised lucky envelopes - record keeping form" for each six-month period in which lucky envelope tickets are sold (with the first record keeping period beginning on the date that the relevant minor gaming permit came into force), containing the following complete and accurate information:
    • For each type of ticket being sold, the ticket price, the number of tickets sold, and the total gross proceeds received from ticket sales;
    • The incurred cost of prizes which have been distributed to winners;
    • The type and amount of boxes of lucky envelope tickets purchased from a lucky envelope supplier listed on the Roll of Recognised Manufacturers and Suppliers of Gaming Equipment, and the cost incurred in purchasing those lucky envelope tickets;
    • Any other reasonable and actually incurred operational costs, if any, which have been deducted from total gross proceeds before distribution to the relevant not‑for-profit organisation or charitable purpose; and
    • The amount of proceeds distributed to the relevant not-for-profit organisation or charitable purpose, as well as a record of when and how those proceeds were distributed.
  • The minor gaming permit holder must retain the completed “Authorised lucky envelopes - record keeping form" for a period of 7 years.
  • The minor gaming permit holder must provide a copy of the completed “Authorised lucky envelopes - record keeping form" to the Commission if requested. In certain circumstances, the Commission may make it a condition of a minor gaming permit that the completed “Authorised lucky envelopes - record keeping form" is provided to the Commission within a specified timeframe.​

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