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Racing and Betting Permits and Licences

The Office of Racing administers a variety of racing and betting permits and licences. These include:

• Calcutta sweepstakes approvals
• mixed sport gatherings consents and permits
• Anzac Day race meeting approvals
• club betting permits
• racing club licences
• racecourse licences.

Calcutta sweepstakes

Calcutta sweepstakes are lotteries where the winner is determined by the outcome of a sporting contingency, such as the Melbourne Cup race. Calcutta sweepstakes usually involve the auctioning of drawn tickets.

Clubs wishing to hold Calcutta sweepstakes must obtain approval from the Minister under section 2.2.9 of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003. Approvals are issued on a perpetual basis.

To submit an application for approval:

Download and complete the 'Application for Approval to Conduct Calcutta Sweepstakes' form available in the menu on the right, then:

• read the conditions of approval on the form
• lodge the form and application fee with the Office of Racing.

Mixed sports gatherings

Consents for mixed sports gatherings authorise:

• horse, harness or pony races at athletics carnivals, gymkhanas and other sporting or novelty festivals, regardless of whether bookmakers operate or not, or
• bookmakers to operate at athletics carnivals, gymkhanas and other sporting or novelty festivals at which no horse, harness or pony races are contested.

Permits are only issued to non-proprietary sporting or community organisations which are raising funds for:

• charitable purposes
• the purposes of the organisation.

Sporting, community and other non-profit organisations wishing to hold sporting or community events that involve horse racing or the attendance of bookmakers must obtain approval from the Minister under section 19 of the Racing Act 1958.

To submit an application for approval you must:

• download and complete an 'Application Form for Mixed Sports Gathering Permit' form
• read the 'Information Guidelines Mixed Sports Gathering Consent' contained on the same page
• attach the required additional documents as defined in the guidelines
• lodge the form with the Office of Racing.

Other approvals, permits and licences

For further information about application processes for Anzac Day race meetings and licences for club betting, racing clubs and racecourses, please contact the Office of Racing.

Who does this apply to?	Members of the public seeking racing and betting permits and licences.
Who provides this service?	Office of Gaming and Racing
Who is eligible?	Eligibility for these services are determined on application.
What are the costs, if any?	An application fee may apply for individual permits and licences.
What are the key dates or times?	Opening hours are 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays).