Guidance for event organisers (such as target shooting events or hunting competitions)
offering firearms and ammunition as prizes.

Firearms and ammunition can be awarded as the prize for a target shooting or hunting event based on the skill of the entrants. 

However, they cannot be awarded as a prize where an event is based on chance (i.e. the luck of the draw) as the Gambling Act 2003 and Gambling (Prohibited Property) Regulations 2005 prohibit having firearms and certain other goods as prizes for gambling. 

Event prizes

Prizes may include firearms and / or ammunition where the prizes are awarded for results achieved based on shooting or hunting skills.

Examples of eligible competitions are:

  • Target shooting competitions where prizes are awarded for the highest scores in defined categories, or
  • Hunting competitions where prizes are awarded for animal size or trophy value.

NOTE: firearms or ammunition prizes must be accepted by a firearms licence holder who will register / transfer the item to their possession in the Registry. 

Definition of gambling

  • Gambling means paying or staking consideration, directly or indirectly, on the outcome of something seeking to win money when the outcome depends wholly or partly on chance  (Gambling Act 2003, s4 Interpretation).
  • Gambling includes events such as raffles, and lotteries; and spot prize draws where prizes are won by random draw of persons who have entered or enrolled in the principal event.
  • The Gambling Act 2003, s17 provides for regulations to restrict property or services or entitlement to property or services that may be offered or used as prizes for gambling (Gambling Act 2003, s17 Regulations may restrict or prohibit prizes).

    1.money includes (a) money’s worth, whether or not convertible into money; and (b) the right to money; and (c) deferral or cancellation of some or all of an obligation to pay money (Gambling Act 2003, s4 Interpretation)

Prohibited prizes

The Gambling (Prohibited Property) Regulations 2005 reg 4 prohibits firearms and certain goods being used as prizes for gambling. 

The full list of prohibited prizes is available on the Department of Internal Affairs website. See Gambling (Prohibited Property) Regulations 2005 r4 Prohibited property for gambling.

The following are some of the prohibited items that it is illegal to offer as prizes:

  • A firearm, or
  • Explosives (including ammunition), or
  • Restricted weapon, or
  • Airgun, or
  • Vouchers or entitlements to any of the items listed above.

Lottery (raffles)

All raffles including spot prize draws and sweepstakes are examples of lottery games. All of these are subject to the Gambling Act 2003 and the Gambling (Non-gambling Activities) Regulations 2013 which are administered by the Department of Internal Affairs.

For full information on operating fund-raising raffles and games of chance refer to the Department of Internal Affairs web site. 

Spot prize associated with competition entry

Many events or competitions make use of products provided by the event sponsors as spot prizes. When specific tickets for the spot prize draw are not issued the entry form / acceptance is the participant’s ticket in the raffle draw.

Spot prizes are a game of chance as no competitor or participant skill is required to win a prize. This applies even if every participant is guaranteed a prize, as the prize a person receives is subject to random chance (‘luck of the draw’).

The prizes cannot include firearms or ammunition or a voucher or entitlement to receive these at another place or time (e.g. at a dealer’s business).

Club fund raising raffles

Most clubs and voluntary organisations fund raise through the use of club room ‘after match’ raffles and other more structured raffles with significant prizes and higher ticket prices. 

The prizes must not include firearms or ammunition or a voucher to receive these types of goods for a supplier or business.

Detailed information

Department of Internal Affairs contact details

Free phone: 0800 257 887 (New Zealand only)
Phone: +64 4 495 7253
Email: gambling@dia.govt.nz 

Last updated
24 March 2026

 

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