Rangiora man to face trial accused of running NZ’s largest illegal lottery

Friday, 20 December 2024

Waiariki McIlroy-Jones and his company Jonez LRC are facing charges for allegedly running an illegal lottery.

A young Rangiora man who is alleged to have run the largest illegal lottery in New Zealand is to face trial.

Waiariki McIlroy-Jones, 24, began giving away vehicles in 2022. He said it was part of a promotion for his business, Jonez LRC, but the Crown says he broke the law.

He allegedly generated over $11 million by the time authorities seized his assets in mid-2023, with prizes including high value cars, jet skis and even a house.

McIlroy-Jones’ lawyer said his client wanted a trial by jury, but because the charges carried a maximum prison term of a year it had to be judge-alone.

McIlroy-Jones and his company Jonez LRC are each facing six charges. In a court appearance on Friday it was confirmed he would face a judge-alone trial.

Barrister Katherine Basire said a resolution with the Crown was “totally off the table”.

McIlroy-Jones wanted a trial by jury, she said, but was not eligible for one as the charges only carried a maximum of a year in prison or a fine of up to $20,000.

His charges are representative, meaning they are alleged to have occurred more than once.

Two dozen cars and two properties were seized by authorities following an investigation. Among the seized items was a four-bedroom home in Rangiora, which was allegedly expected to be McIlroy-Jones’ biggest prize yet.

The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), which investigated McIlroy-Jones, was not available for comment on Friday.

When the charges were announced earlier this year, a DIA spokesperson said Jones LRC would go down as the largest illegal lottery every identified in New Zealand, if charges were proven.

The Press began covering the DIA investigation in July 2023 after investigators seized 19 vehicles in McIlroy-Jones’ name, including a 1970 Ford Falcon and a yellow 1992 Mazda RX-7. Five seized vehicles were in his company’s name.

Jonez LRC also had two properties seized, including a four-bedroom home in Rangiora, which was allegedly expected to be McIlroy-Jones’ biggest prize yet.

The property was valued at around $900,000, with the winner having a choice between the freehold home or $700,000 cash.

At the time, McIlroy-Jones told The Press he had done nothing wrong, and described what he was doing as a “trade promotion”.

Under the Gambling Act 2003, it is illegal for companies to gamble prizes exceeding $5000 without a class 3 gambling licence, in order to ensure the integrity of the operation and protect participants.

Vicki Scott, director of gambling at DIA, previously told The Press that strict licensing requirements were “there for a reason”.

“We have no tolerance for those who seek to profit by bypassing the rules.”

The case has been adjourned until February.