- Published:
- Thursday, 31 July 2025 at 9:00 am
Bookmakers can apply to have an event approved by writing to the VGCCC with the following information:
- Name of the event
- Whether the event is approved in another Australian jurisdiction (and which one/s)
- The name of the governing authority (the authority charged with controlling and ensuring the integrity of the event)
- The specific competitions that approval is being sought, for example, whether it is just dressage and show jumping governed by Equestrian Australia (EA), or all events governed by EA, or all events governed by the international governing body. If there are multiple tiers of competition, like in Australian Rules there are: the national Australian Football League, state-based leagues, and lower leagues, then please state which leagues.
- Information demonstrating the governing authority’s ability ensure the integrity of the events, such as its:
- integrity policies, processes, frameworks
- participant codes of conduct
- data sharing arrangements with wagering service providers or third-party integrity bodies
- internal integrity expertise and resourcing
- breach investigation processes
- sanctions available to the governing authority
- the history of breaches and the way the governing authority has dealt with them.
Applications can be sent to: scbnotifications@vgccc.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window)
When considering an application, the VGCCC must consider:
- whether the event or class is exposed to unmanageable integrity risks
- whether the event or class is administered by an organisation that is capable of administering and enforcing rules or codes of conduct designed to ensure the integrity of the event or class
- whether betting on the event or class is—
- offensive
- contrary to the public interest
- except in the case of a sporting event or class of sporting event, whether the approval would represent an unreasonable extension of the scope of gambling in Victoria
- the Commission may have regard to any other matter in determining whether to approve an event, class of event or betting competition.
Where there is an approved SCB for an event, bookmakers must have a product fee and integrity agreement in place with the SCB to offer betting services on its events. A list of approved SCBs is available on this webpage(opens in a new window).
Non-compliance with either of these requirements is a breach of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 and leaves a bookmaker liable to disciplinary action. This can include:
- Letter of censure
- Variation of the conditions of registration
- Suspension or cancellation of registration
- a fine of up to 50,000 penalty units (almost $10 million)
- a combination of the above.
The VGCCC proactively monitors for bookmaker non-compliance, promptly responds to complaints and takes action where appropriate.
The VGCCC strongly recommends bookmakers assess their compliance with these and other regulatory obligations and adopt measures to ensure ongoing compliance.
If bookmakers have questions regarding their regulatory obligations, they can send them to scbnotifications@vgccc.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window).
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