1934 Southern Rhodesian sweepstakes referendum

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In February 1934, Southern Rhodesia held a postal referendum to decide if sweepstakes gambling could operate under strict government control. The ballot had two questions: (1) Should sweepstakes be legalized? (2) If legalized, should they be managed directly by the Government or by a special authority under a Government licence?

Details:
- Ballots sent: 28,216; returned: 20,550; turnout: 72.8%.
- Question 1: Voters supported legalization by a large margin (more than four to one).
- Question 2: Voters preferred government direct management by 70.11% to 28.89% for the special authority. Some votes on this question were discounted due to contradictory answers, and 203 ballots were blank for the second question.

Result: After the referendum, the State Lotteries Act was passed on 14 May 1935, legalising sweepstakes controlled by the Government.

Background: The 1891 Lotteries Prohibition Act banned lotteries in Southern Rhodesia, but many Rhodesians took part in sweepstakes run outside the colony. The idea of reform had been discussed since 1928, and in the 1933 election the Reform Party promised a referendum if it won.