Internet house auction illegal, Internal Affairs says

Internal Affairs has shot down plans by a Christchurch couple to sell their house on an internet auction.

The auction would be illegal gambling and Internal Affairs' gambling compliance manager Debbie Despard today advised people not to take part.

The house, with a rating value of $594,000, is in the Christchurch suburb of Redwood. Under the auction idea, the lucky buyer could pay somewhere between $100 and $1100.

Real estate agent Brad Maxwell and wife Janice own the property through a family trust and were selling it through a new sales method they hoped would catch on.

Would-be buyers book a seat at an internet auction for $100 each with the house going to the lowest unique bid between 1c and $1000.

But Ms Despard said that under the Gambling Act 2003 the auction was illegal on several grounds.

To read the full NZ Herald story click here

Posted: 21 Jan 2009

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