"Minor Sports Events Gambling Is Now Illegal According to VGCCC Regulations"
In a move to protect minors and maintain the integrity of sporting events, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has introduced new regulations that ban betting on sports competitions where all participants are minors (under 19) and prohibit betting on the performance of individual players under 18 years old in both junior and senior sports.
The VGCCC, the regulatory body responsible for overseeing all gambling activities in Victoria, expressed its concern about the potential influence on minors and the undermining of the integrity of sporting events. In a letter sent to all parties involved in February, including those in charge of controlling the betting industry, Fran Thorn, Chair of VGCCC, stated that betting on minors does not stand up and minors deserve protection, also raising concerns about integrity issues.
The new regulations aim to reduce the involvement of minors in sports betting and curb gambling related to young athletes. Gamblers are now prohibited from placing 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.
The authorities have 60 days to agree upon new rules and start complying with them, as stated in the official press release. Sporting organizations, both regulated and independent, are obligated to revise agreements with operators to ensure betting on minors is prohibited. Non-compliance with this decision may result in severe consequences, such as revoking approval of sports controlling bodies and prosecuting betting providers.
This ban is part of ongoing regulatory efforts in Victoria to ensure gambling integrity and safety. With the implementation of these new regulations, Victoria joins other jurisdictions in taking steps to protect minors from gambling harms.
In the broader context of gambling law in Australia, online sports betting is legal through licensed providers, but other forms of online gambling are restricted federally. Public and advocacy groups have highlighted that underage gambling remains a significant issue, with calls for further restrictions and advertising bans to protect young people. However, the specific Victorian regulation clearly prohibits bets on minors’ sports performances and competitions.
In summary, Victoria's key 2023 regulatory update prohibits betting on:
- Sporting events involving only minor participants (under 19).
- Performance of individual players under 18 in both junior and senior sports.
This represents a significant step toward limiting minors’ exposure and involvement in sports betting activities in Victoria.
The Victoria Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has explicitly stated that betting on minors is unacceptable and undermines the integrity of sports events. The new regulations issued by the VGCCC forbid gamblers from placing bets on the performance of individual players under 18 in both junior and senior sports. Moreover, open sports events where minors are playing allow bets only on the whole team, not on specific minor players and their outcomes.
