Commerce Commission searches FRU office

The Commerce Commission is currently searching the Fiji Rugby Union office to obtain all information, as they try to make a decision whether FRU will be fined up to $25, 000 for allegedly breaching sections of the Commerce Commission Decree 2010 for reducing its Rugby World cup lottery ticket prizes prior to the draw last week.

The Commerce Commission Chairman Dr Mahendra Reddy said officers are searching the office in Suva through a search warrant to obtain all relevant information.

The Commission ordered that the FRU has to reimburse $10 to those people that had earlier bought their Rugby World Cup lottery tickets for $20 within ten days as well as to refrain from proceeding with the disbursal of the prize money to the eventual winners.

Commerce Commission is expected to release a press statement on its decision later today.

Meanwhile, the Consumer Council of Fiji has welcomed the Commerce Commission's step for taking action against the Fiji Rugby Union for engaging in unfair practices in a lottery draw.

CEO Premila Kumar said the Council has formally lodged a complaint with the Commission on behalf of the customers who went to the Council.

Kumar said through its action of reducing the price of its lottery tickets, FRU has denied many people with $20 tickets an equal and fair chance of winning the lottery.

She said the Council hopes the Commerce Commission will take stringent measures against FRU to deter other organisations indulging in lottery and other games of chance from misleading and deceiving consumers.

She said the council has received numerous complaints against many organisations involved in unfair practice in gaming.



Story by: Sofaia Koroitanoa and Sneh Chaudhry