The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.
Money raising exercise introduced by Jack Lang in 1930 as a means of solving the government's critical funding situation. To appease churches and other opponents of gambling Lang promised that all revenue would be used to fund hospitals. Legislation introduced in 1931 did not actually mention hospitals, though for some years they were the major beneficiaries. The first lottery was conducted in August 1931. Later the revenue was simply added to the State's general budget. Lotteries are now conducted nationally under licence.