Ban on Wagering Minor Sports Tournaments at VGCCC Enforced
In a recent development, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has taken a firm stance against underage gambling in the sports betting industry. The regulatory body, which oversees all gambling activities in Victoria, has expressed concern about minors (under 18 years old) being influenced and undermining the integrity of sporting events.
In a letter sent in February, the VGCCC reminded the authorities of their duties to maintain the sport's integrity and provided information about the current situation in the sports betting industry concerning minor gambling. The Commission emphasised the importance of strict compliance, harm minimisation, and enforcement through fines and disciplinary actions for breaches related to minors in gambling contexts.
Key regulatory points include:
- Bets can only be placed by individuals aged 18 or older. Betting operators like Sportsbet require verification that account holders and bettors are over 18 years of age and may refuse bets where a person may be underage or betting on behalf of a minor.
- Minors are prohibited from entering gambling areas, such as poker machine sections in venues, even if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- The VGCCC actively enforces these rules and penalises breaches.
- The responsible gambling framework includes protecting minors from exposure to gambling and applying a zero-tolerance approach for breaches relating to minors.
- The minimum legal age for gambling is firmly set at 18 years in Victoria.
The VGCCC's concern about minors being permitted to bet extends to both regulated and independent sports. Fran Thorn, Chair of the VGCCC, stated that betting on minors is contrary to the public interest and raises integrity issues. As a result, gamblers cannot place bets on individual players under 18 in both junior and senior sports.
In open sports events where minors are playing, bets can be placed on the whole team but not on specific minor players and their outcomes. Sporting organizations, including those not regulated and approved by the authorities, are required to revise their deals with operators to prohibit betting on minors.
Fran Thorn believes that minors deserve protection and that the idea of betting on minors is unacceptable. She has threatened action against sports controlling bodies and betting providers who do not comply with the decision, which may include revoking approval and prosecution. The authorities have 60 days to agree upon new rules and start complying with them.
The VGCCC is reminding the authorities of their duties to maintain the integrity of sporting events and is seeking information about the situation in the sports betting industry concerning minor gambling. Fran Thorn has made it clear that the Commission will take decisive action to ensure that minors are protected from the potential harms associated with gambling and that the integrity of sporting events is upheld.
- Fran Thorn has made it clear that the Commission will take decisive action against sports controlling bodies and betting providers who do not comply with the decision, which may include revoking approval and prosecution, emphasizing that betting on minors is unacceptable.
- Bets cannot be placed on individual players under 18 in both junior and senior sports, as gambling on minors raises integrity issues and is contrary to the public interest, according to Fran Thorn, Chair of the VGCCC.
- In regulated and independent sports, minors are protected from betting, as the Commission has strict regulations in place, such as banning minors from entering gambling areas and prohibiting bets on specific minor players and their outcomes.
