Private Function Granted Exemption To Sell Their New Album In SA

Private Function will be allowed to sell their upcoming album, 370HSSV 0773H, in South Australia, after all. 

South Australia’s Liquor and Gambling Commissioner Dini Soulio has granted the band an exemption to sell limited vinyl copies of the new album, which contains a scratchie album cover.

"There are strict requirements under the Lotteries Act in South Australia for anyone wanting to offer any form of instant win scratchie promotion to ensure consumers are protected. However, in this instance, I'm sure we can find a practical solution," Soulio told Adelaide's The Advertiser a few days ago.

Now, the Commissioner has granted a "full exemption" to the Melbourne band to conduct and advertise an "unlawful lottery". Soulio explained on ABC Radio Adelaide: "I am pleased to say that once I became aware of it, I reached out to the band, and in the circumstances, I’m happy to give them an exemption to be able to sell it into South Australia. 

"The idea that someone is going to become addicted to scratchies by buying multiple albums is probably not a high risk from my point of view."

Private Function responded, "Today is a great day for rock and roll. We thank the South Australian government for working with us and allowing the sales of our new record in your fine state. In an era of political uncertainty, one thing is certain - rock and roll will always prevail. PF STILL ON TOP."

South Australian legislation dictates that any "scratch and win" promotion requires a permit, regardless of the prize pool value, which initially meant that it was illegal for Private Function to distribute physical copies of their new album.

The first 3000 copies of the vinyl feature a scratchable album cover, with three Australiana-themed icons sitting underneath the scratchie panels.

Of the 3000 copies, only one will share three identical icons. The one lucky fan whose sleeve reveals all three matching icons will receive a signed test pressing of 370HSSV 0773H, AUD $2999 in cash, directly from the band and a photo of their face printed on all future pressings of the album across all variations, forever.

The scratchie idea was born from Private Function wanting to give back to their fans. The band said, "We were thinking about how we could give back to our fans in a fun way, and we came up with this really simple idea that we couldn’t believe hadn’t been done before. Finding a company that would actually print scratchable panels onto record sleeves wasn’t easy, but you bet we found a way to make it happen."

Pre-order 370HSSV 0773H here.