Return to normal view

Victorian Racing and Betting Legislation

Key legislation

Key legislation regulating racing and betting in Victoria are:

• the Racing Act 1958
• the Gambling Regulation Act 2003.

Copies of the legislation can be downloaded via this website or purchased from:

Information Victoria

505 Little Collins St
Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia
Tel: 1300 366 356 (Australia wide only)
Fax: 1300 366 356 (Australia wide only)

Racing Act 1958

The Racing Act 1958 is administered by the Minister for Racing. The main purpose of this Act is to:

• regulate the conduct of race meetings and betting at meetings
• provide for the licensing of racing clubs and racecourses
• provide for the issue of permits for minor race meetings and betting activities
• provide for the registration of bookmakers and their clerks
• establish Harness Racing Victoria, Greyhound Racing Victoria, Racing Appeals Tribunal and the Bookmakers and Bookmakers' Clerks Registration Committee
• recognise the role of Racing Victoria Limited as the controlling body of thoroughbred racing.

Gambling Regulation Act 2003

The Gambling Regulation Act 2003 is administered by the Minister for Gaming and in some parts jointly with the Minister for Racing. This Act regulates a number of issues related to racing, including:

• the operation of totalisator and fixed odds betting by Tabcorp
• the taxation regime for totalisator and fixed odds betting by Tabcorp
• enforcement provisions against illegal betting for example, starting price (SP) bookmaking
• the advertising and communication of betting related information
• the conduct of minor gaming including the holding of Calcutta sweepstakes
• the gaming machine industry in which the racing industry and Tabcorp are participants
• the issue of wagering and gaming licences to Tabcorp Holdings Ltd providing that the company has entered into an unincorporated joint venture with the racing industry.

The Act establishes the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation as the regulatory body for gaming and wagering licences.

Regulations

Regulations that are linked to the Racing Act 1958 and the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 include:

• Gambling Regulation Regulations 2003
• Racing (Bookmakers) Regulations 2002
• Racing (Racing Appeals Tribunal) Regulations 2005.