Racing Regulation and Integrity Regulations 2024

Racing Regulation and Integrity Regulations 2024

I, the Lieutenant-Governor in and over the State of Tasmania and its Dependencies in the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Executive Council, make the following regulations under the Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 .

A. M. BLOW

Lieutenant-Governor

By His Excellency's Command,

JANE HOWLETT

Minister for Racing

PART 1 - Preliminary

1.   Short title

These regulations may be cited as the Racing Regulation and Integrity Regulations 2024 .

2.   Commencement

These regulations take effect on the day on which section 192 of the Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 commences.

3.   Interpretation

(1)  In these regulations –

Act means the Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 ;

all-clear means a signal given after a race to indicate that the controlling stewards are satisfied that –

(a) the finishing order of the competitors is correct; and

(b) there are no protests;

all-in, in relation to a bet, means that –

(a) the bet stands whether or not the competitor backed by the bettor starts in the relevant race; and

(b) no refund is payable in respect of the bet;

all-up bet means a bet that –

(a) is in respect of a series of 2 or more races being held during the same race meeting; and

(b) provides for the bettor's winnings, if any, from one race in the series to be automatically reinvested on the next race in the series, and so on, until the series is exhausted;

betting supervisor means a person appointed as a betting supervisor under section 68(1)(b) of the Act;

commission means the monthly commission that a registered bookmaker is required to pay to Tasracing under section 164 of the Act;

controlling official, for an event, means the person or body that is empowered, under the rules governing the event, to do either or both of the following:

(a) determine or declare the official result of the event;

(b) adjudicate protests in respect of the event;

controlling stewards, for a race, means the stewards having control of the race meeting, during which the race is held, at the time at which the race is held;

correct weight means a declaration given after a race indicating that the controlling stewards for the race are satisfied that the competitors carried their allocated weight during the race;

event means –

(a) an approved sports event; or

(b) a segment of an approved sports event;

face value, of a betting ticket, means the total sum of money that is payable to the bettor (including the stake) if the bettor wins the bet for which the betting ticket is issued;

fielding, in relation to a race, race meeting, racecourse or event, means engaging in bookmaking on the racecourse in respect of that race, race meeting, racecourse or event;

fixed-price bet means a bet at a price that is fixed when the bet is made;

GST has the same meaning as in the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 of the Commonwealth;

made, in relation to a bet, means the placement of the bet by a bettor and the acceptance of the bet by a bookmaker;

multiple bet means a bet that requires the bettor to back the winner of more than 2 races;

odds on means rated at odds of less than 1:1 to win;

place bet means –

(a) a bet on the contingency that a competitor backed by the bettor will be placed in a particular race; or

(b) a bet on the contingency that competitors backed by the bettor will be placed in particular races;

placed, in relation to a competitor in a race, means –

(a) if 8 or more competitors were entered in the race, that the competitor came first, second or third; or

(b) if 5 or more (but fewer than 8) competitors were entered in the race, that the competitor came first or second;

points start means the handicap given on a bet that aims to predict the result of an event, taking into account that handicap;

protest means any protest against, objection to or dispute about the result of a race, being a protest, objection or dispute that complies with the Rules of Racing;

race means a horse race or greyhound race;

relevant betting ticket, for a bet, means the betting ticket issued for the bet;

relevant event, for a sports bet, means the event in respect of which the bet is made;

relevant race, for a bet, means the race in respect of which the bet is made;

scratch means to withdraw a competitor from a race before it starts;

segment means something that –

(a) is generally recognised as forming a discrete part or phase of an event; and

(b) is capable of being the subject of sports betting in its own right –

whether (according to the terminology traditionally used for the event) it is referred to as a heat, hole, innings, leg, match, race, round, rubber, set, stage or as something else;

special race means –

(a) a Group race, as defined in the relevant Rules of Racing; or

(b) a race that Tasracing, by notice published in the Gazette on or before the day on which the race is scheduled to be held, declares to be a special race;

sports bet means a bet on a contingency relating to an event;

sports bookmaking means bookmaking in respect of events;

stake means the money outlaid by a bettor when placing a bet, whether the bet is paid for when it is placed or afterwards;

starting price, for a race, means the final price offered on the competitors by a majority of the bookmakers fielding on the race when it starts (as determined by the betting supervisor) or, if no bookmakers are fielding on the race, the final totalizator price on those competitors;

tie, for a win or place in an event, means (according to the terminology traditionally used for events of that kind) a tie, draw, dead heat or even, equal or level placing for the win or that place;

tie-breaker, for an event, means (according to the terminology traditionally used for events of that kind) the extra-time, play-off, replay, shoot-out or other process that is used to determine a result if at the end of normal time there is a tie;

walk-over means a race in which only one competitor starts.

(2)  A notice referred to in paragraph (b) of the definition of special race in subregulation (1) is not a statutory rule.

PART 2 - Bookmaker Betting

Division 1 - Bookmakers

4.   Enforcement of registration bonds

(1)  In this regulation –

guarantor, in relation to a registration bond, means the person who, on applying for registration as a bookmaker or for an on-course telephone betting endorsement, an off-course telephone betting endorsement or an off-course function betting endorsement, gave Tasracing the registration bond;

registration bond means a bond of indemnity or other form of security given under sections 135 or 151 of the Act;

security amount means the amount of the cash, money on fixed deposit, bond, guarantee, government security or other kind of security comprising a registration bond;

surety means a person who goes surety for a guarantor in respect of a registration bond.

(2)  The following provisions apply to a registration bond:

(a) the registration bond continues in force for –

(i) in the case of a registration bond given under section 135 of the Act, the whole period of the guarantor's registration as a bookmaker and the 6-month period immediately following that period of registration; and

(ii) in the case of a registration bond given under section 151 of the Act, the whole period during which the guarantor's on-course telephone betting endorsement, off-course telephone betting endorsement or off-course function betting endorsement is in force and the 6-month period immediately following the expiration, cancellation or surrender of that endorsement;

(b) Tasracing may enforce the registration bond if Tasracing is of the opinion that the guarantor has defaulted in the payment of one or more of the following while the bond is in force:

(i) any commission or other money payable by the guarantor to Tasracing in observance of, or compliance with, the provisions of the Act;

(ii) any money payable by the guarantor in observance of, or compliance with, the provisions of the Act;

(iii) a bet payable by that guarantor;

(c) if Tasracing decides to enforce the registration bond, the security amount –

(i) is recoverable notwithstanding that it relates to betting; and

(ii) is not to be taken for any purpose to be a penalty but is to be taken to be liquidated damages; and

(iii) is accordingly recoverable in full as a debt due to the Crown unless every condition on which the registration bond is defeasible is shown to have been performed.

(3)  From the sum of the security amount recovered, received or collected under a registration bond, Tasracing is to –

(a) deduct the costs incurred by or on behalf of Tasracing in effecting that recovery, receipt or collection; and

(b) apply the balance –

(i) firstly, in paying any commission or other money that is payable to Tasracing by the guarantor in observance of, or compliance with, the provisions of the Act; and

(ii) secondly, in paying to bettors the amounts that are, in the opinion of Tasracing, due to them in respect of bets placed with the guarantor.

(4)  If the balance referred to in subregulation (3)(b) is sufficient to meet all of the payments required to be made under subregulation (3)(b)(i) and (ii) , the amount remaining, if any, after all those payments have been made is to be paid to the guarantor or surety from whom the sum was recovered, received or collected.

(5)  If the amount available for the purposes of subregulation (3)(b)(ii) is insufficient to meet all of the payments required to be made to bettors under that subregulation, Tasracing may make a pro rata distribution among those bettors of the remaining amount available.

5.   Bookmaker partnerships

(1)  Two or more persons may apply to Tasracing for permission to carry on business as bookmakers in partnership if each applicant is either a registered bookmaker or has applied to be registered as a bookmaker.

(2)  The application under subregulation (1)  –

(a) is to be in a form approved by Tasracing; and

(b) must be supported by such evidence or information as Tasracing requires.

(3)  Tasracing may –

(a) approve the application; or

(b) refuse to approve the application.

(4)  If the application is approved, Tasracing is to give the applicants notice of –

(a) the approval; and

(b) the requirements specified in subregulation (6) .

(5)  If the application is refused, Tasracing is to give the applicants notice of the refusal, with reasons, and the applicants' right of appeal.

(6)  Persons whose application under subregulation (1) is approved must not commence business in partnership –

(a) until they have lodged a deed of partnership with Tasracing and had that deed approved by Tasracing; and

(b) if not all of the applicants were registered bookmakers when the application was lodged, until all of them are registered bookmakers.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 25 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding 2.5 penalty units for each day during which the offence continues.

(7)  If 2 or more persons have been approved to carry on business as bookmakers in partnership under this regulation but Tasracing suspends or cancels the bookmaker registration of one or more of those persons, the partnership is, for the purposes of the Act, taken to have been dissolved forthwith.

(8)  A person whose bookmaking partnership is taken to have been dissolved under subregulation (7) because of a suspension of bookmaker registration may nevertheless submit a fresh application under subregulation (1) once the period of suspension expires, if they are otherwise eligible to do so.

6.   Calculating unpaid commission following loss, &c., of bookmaking records

If –

(a) a record that a registered bookmaker is required to keep under the Act is lost or destroyed; and

(b) the record is needed to calculate the amount of any commission due to be paid by the registered bookmaker –

the amount of that commission is to be determined by Tasracing after Tasracing has made such inquiry on such relevant information as is available.

Division 2 - Settlement of bets

7.   Settlement of bets if bookmaker or bettor dies

If either of the parties to a bet dies, the bet stands but is subject to such provisions of these regulations as would have applied to the bet had the death not occurred.

8.   Settlement of betting debts if bookmaker suspended, &c.

A person whose registration as a bookmaker is suspended or cancelled must, within the 7-day period immediately following the day on which the cancellation or suspension takes effect, pay, in accordance with the directions, if any, given to the person by Tasracing for the purpose, all of the outstanding betting debts incurred by or on behalf of the person as a bookmaker.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 25 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding 2.5 penalty units for each day during which the offence continues.

Division 3 - Compliance and supervision

9.   Bookmakers must comply with betting controls

(1)  A bookmaker who accepts a bet in person must –

(a) settle the bet in accordance with these regulations; and

(b) comply with the conditions that, under these regulations, apply to the bet.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 25 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding 2.5 penalty units for each day during which the offence continues.

(2)  A bookmaker's agent who accepts a bet on behalf of their principal must –

(a) settle the bet in accordance with these regulations; and

(b) comply with the conditions that, under these regulations, apply to the bet.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 25 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding 2.5 penalty units for each day during which the offence continues.

(3)  If a bookmaker's agent commits an offence under these regulations, the agent’s principal –

(a) is taken to have also committed the offence; and

(b) may be charged with and convicted of the offence unless the principal proves that –

(i) the bookmaker's agent committed the offence without the principal's knowledge or consent; or

(ii) the principal used all due diligence to prevent the bookmaker's agent from committing the offence.

(4)  Subregulation (3) has effect whether or not the bookmaker's agent is charged with or convicted of the offence.

10.   Bettors must comply with betting controls

A person who places a bet with a bookmaker must not, by means of any threat or inducement, try to persuade the bookmaker to –

(a) settle the bet otherwise than in accordance with these regulations; or

(b) contravene the conditions that, under these regulations, apply to the bet.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 25 penalty units.

11.   Non-compliance with regulations does not entitle bookmaker to cancel bet

A bookmaker is not entitled to –

(a) refuse to settle a bet on the grounds that the bookmaker failed to comply with a provision of these regulations in accepting the bet; or

(b) cancel a bet on the grounds that the bookmaker failed to comply with a provision of these regulations in accepting or settling the bet.

12.   Supervision of bookmaker betting

(1)  Tasracing is to issue each person who is appointed as a betting supervisor with an identity card –

(a) bearing a recent photograph of the person and the person's name; and

(b) stipulating that the person is a betting supervisor.

(2)  A betting supervisor may, on production of the betting supervisor’s identity card, do any one or more of the following:

(a) ask questions and require answers of bookmakers who are or appear to be engaging in bookmaking;

(b) require a bookmaker to produce, for the betting supervisor's inspection, a betting record or book of account that the bookmaker is required to keep under the Act;

(c) require a bookmaker to show the betting supervisor a betting ticket that the bookmaker is about to issue to a bettor;

(d) give bookmakers written or oral directions for the purpose of ensuring that bets are made and settled in accordance with the Act.

(3)  A bookmaker must not obstruct or hinder, or fail to cooperate with, a betting supervisor who is exercising or seeking to exercise the betting supervisor's powers under this regulation.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 25 penalty units.

(4)  A bookmaker who is given a direction or required to do something under subregulation (2) must comply with that direction or satisfy that requirement.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 25 penalty units.

PART 3 - Racing Bets

Division 1 - Preliminary

13.   Application of Part

This Part applies to betting, by and with bookmakers, on contingencies relating to horse races and greyhound races.

14.   Interpretation of Part

(1)  In this Part –

competitor means –

(a) a horse competing in a horse race; or

(b) a greyhound competing in a greyhound race.

(2)  For the purposes of these regulations, a competitor that is still entered in a race when it starts is taken to have run that race whether or not the competitor subsequently takes any part in the race unless, before correct weight is declared or the all-clear is given, the controlling stewards declare that the competitor was scratched or declared a non-starter.

Division 2 - Betting controls

Subdivision 1 - Betting odds

15.   Obligations of bookmakers regarding offer and display of odds

(1)  A bookmaker who is fielding on a racecourse on any day must –

(a) offer odds on each horse or each greyhound, as applicable, in each race being held on that racecourse on that day; and

(b) display those odds to the public in such manner, and for such period of time before the relevant race, as Tasracing approves or directs; and

(c) if offering payment of a bet based on totalizator odds, display a sign to that effect in a manner, and for such period of time before the relevant race, as Tasracing approves or directs.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 25 penalty units.

(2)  A bookmaker who is fielding on a racecourse must not publicly display the odds that the bookmaker is offering on a competitor entered in a race on another racecourse, whether located in Tasmania or elsewhere, unless the bookmaker also offers and publicly displays odds on every competitor in that race.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 25 penalty units.

16.   Obligations of bookmakers regarding laying of odds

(1)  In this regulation –

each-way bet means a bet on the contingency that a competitor backed by the bettor will be placed in a race.

(2)  If –

(a) a bookmaker fielding on a racecourse offers odds against a competitor entered in a race being held on that racecourse; and

(b) a bettor tenders a bet to the bookmaker on that competitor in that race –

the bookmaker must lay those odds if requested by the bettor, but not so as to be obliged to potentially lose more than $1 000 on the bet.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 25 penalty units.

(3)  Despite subregulation (2) , if –

(a) a bookmaker fielding on a racecourse on King Island offers odds against a competitor in a race being held anywhere on that island; and

(b) a bettor tenders a bet to the bookmaker on that competitor in that race –

the bookmaker must lay those odds if requested by the bettor, but not so as to be obliged to potentially lose more than $200 on the bet.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 25 penalty units.

(4)  A bookmaker must, if a bettor so requests, lay odds to a minimum of –

(a) the sum of 50 cents; or

(b) in the case of an each-way bet, the sum of 50 cents each way.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 25 penalty units.

(5)  If a bettor wishes to place a bet with a bookmaker for an amount which would oblige the bookmaker to potentially lose more than the maximum amount prescribed by this regulation, and the bookmaker is not prepared to accommodate the bettor to the amount of liability of the bet requested, the bookmaker must –

(a) tell the bettor the maximum liability that the bookmaker is obliged to accept; and

(b) offer to accommodate the bettor to at least that maximum amount.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 25 penalty units.

17.   Obligations of bookmakers regarding starting price odds

(1)  Subject to subregulation (2) , a bookmaker who offers odds against a competitor must not refuse to accept a bet at starting price for a sum not exceeding $5 in respect of that competitor if a bettor demands to place such a bet with the bookmaker.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 25 penalty units.

(2)  A bookmaker is not obliged to accept more than one bet at starting price in any one race from any one bettor.

Subdivision 2 - Racing bet determinations

18.   General rule for determining bets

(1)  Bets are determined on correct weight being declared, or the all-clear being given, to the bettors who backed the placed competitors.

(2)  However, if there is a protest in a horse race before correct weight is declared or the all-clear is given, bets are determined according to the decision of the controlling stewards in respect of the protest.

19.   Determining when bets are void

A bet is void if –

(a) at the time at which the bet is made, it is impossible for the bettor to win the bet; or

(b) it is made after the relevant race has been run or, in the case of a multiple bet, the first relevant race has been run; or

(c) the relevant race is a walk-over or, in the case of a multiple bet, the first relevant race is a walk-over; or

(d) it is declared void by the controlling stewards (whether as a result of an inquiry or otherwise); or

(e) it is void under another provision of the Act.

20.   Determining when bets are off

(1)  A fixed-price bet on a race, other than a special race, is off if the competitor does not start in that race.

(2)  The following provisions apply to fixed-price bets on a special race:

(a) a bet is "all-in" if it is made before the day on which the special race takes place;

(b) a bet, made on the day on which the special race takes place, is off if the competitor in respect of which the bet is placed does not start in the special race.

(3)  If the controlling stewards allow, or order, the withdrawal of a competitor from a race after the time for scratching has elapsed, a bookmaker must –

(a) if instructed to do so by the controlling stewards, draw a line on the bookmaker's betting records for the race immediately below all bets then recorded in respect of the race; and

(b) settle all bets made on the race in accordance with the decision of the controlling stewards; and

(c) in the case of bets made on a race held outside Tasmania –

(i) settle all bets on the race in accordance with the decision of the controlling stewards; and

(ii) if the controlling stewards order any bets to be paid at totalizator odds, pay those bets in accordance with the dividend declared on the totalizator on the racecourse or, if applicable, other place where the race is held.

(4)  Subregulation (3) does not apply to an all-in bet.

(5)  Nothing in this regulation prevents a bookmaker from laying odds against a competitor in a race after the bookmaker has complied with subregulation (3) in respect of that race.

(6)  If the controlling stewards have allowed, or ordered, the withdrawal of a competitor from a race after the time for scratching has elapsed –

(a) the official starting price for a competitor in the race is to be the price as declared pursuant to regulation 32 ; and

(b) that price is not subject to any order, as to betting, made by the controlling stewards in respect of the race, unless that price was declared before the withdrawal of the competitor.

(7)  Except as provided by this regulation, a bet is not capable of being declared off otherwise than by agreement between the parties to the bet.

Subdivision 3 - Settlement of racing bets

21.   Settlement of bets: winning bets

(1)  A bookmaker's liability to pay a winning bet arises as soon as correct weight is declared or the all-clear is given for –

(a) the relevant race; or

(b) in the case of a bet in respect of more than one race, the last relevant race.

(2)  A bookmaker must pay the full amount of a winning bet to a bettor except where the amount payable includes a fraction of 10 cents, in which case the payment must be made to the nearest 5 cents.

22.   Settlement of bets: dead heats

Except as otherwise provided in these regulations, a bettor must be paid one-half of the face value of the bettor's betting ticket if, in the relevant race, there is a dead heat for –

(a) first place; or

(b) second place (where there are 5, 6 or 7 starters and the bet is a place bet); or

(c) third place (where there are 8 or more starters and the bet is a place bet).

23.   Settlement of bets: rerun races

(1)  If the controlling stewards for a race in Tasmania order that the race be rerun, the bets that were originally made in respect of that race must be settled as those controlling stewards decide.

(2)  For the purposes of subregulation (1) , the controlling stewards may –

(a) if satisfied that sufficient time remains to re-open betting on the race, declare all of the original bets off and order that betting in respect of the race be reopened; or

(b) declare off all bets on a competitor that does not start in the race when it is rerun and order that all other bets be paid subject to any deduction specified by the controlling stewards.

(3)  If an order under subregulation (2)(b) is made, a bookmaker must –

(a) draw a line on the bookmaker's betting records for the race immediately below all bets then recorded in respect of the race; and

(b) settle all bets on that race in accordance with the decision of the controlling stewards.

(4)  If the controlling stewards for a race outside Tasmania order that the race be rerun, the bets accepted by Tasmanian bookmakers in respect of that race must be settled as those controlling stewards decide.

24.   Settlement of bets: postponed races

If a race meeting, or a race at a race meeting, is postponed from one day to another day –

(a) all bets on each postponed race are off unless the bet is a fixed-price bet on a special race; and

(b) if, in the case of all-up bets and multiple bets, one of the competitors backed by the bettor is entered in one of the postponed races, that competitor is taken to have been scratched.

Subdivision 4 - Conditions applicable to particular racing bets

25.   All-up bets

The following conditions apply to an all-up bet:

(a) if, in the case of a fixed-price bet, any competitor backed by the bettor is scratched for the race named, the bet is on the remaining competitors backed by the bettor at the odds stated in respect of those competitors;

(b) if, in the case of a bet at starting price, any competitor backed by the bettor is scratched, the bet is on the remaining competitors backed by the bettor.

26.   Concession bets

(1)  In this regulation –

concession bet means a bet on the contingency that a competitor backed by the bettor will win a race, with the stake being refunded to the bettor if that competitor is placed second in that race.

(2)  The following conditions apply to a concession bet:

(a) the bet is off if there are fewer than 3 starters in the relevant race when the bet is made;

(b) if the controlling stewards declare that a win-and-place bet in respect of the relevant race is to be paid at totalizator odds, a winning concession bet must –

(i) have its stake divided, half for win and half for place; and

(ii) be paid at totalizator odds;

(c) if there is a dead heat for first place, a winning bettor must be paid an amount equal to the bettor's stake plus a sum equal to the bookmaker's stake divided by the number of competitors that ran the dead heat for first place;

(d) if 8 or more competitors are entered in the relevant race when the bet is made –

(i) the bettors who backed the second-placed competitor must have their stake refunded; and

(ii) if there is a dead heat for second place, the bettors who backed the dead-heaters must be paid an amount equal to their stake divided by half the number of competitors that ran the dead heat for second place;

(e) if fewer than 8 competitors are entered in the relevant race when the bet is made –

(i) the bettors who backed the second-placed competitor must have their stake refunded; and

(ii) if there is a dead heat for second place, the bettors who backed the dead-heaters must be paid an amount equal to their stake divided by the number of competitors that ran the dead heat for second place.

27.   Doubles bets

(1)  In this regulation –

doubles bet means a bet that requires the bettor to back the winner of 2 races.

(2)  The following conditions apply to a doubles bet:

(a) the bet is determined on the first occasion that the bettor’s selection for a relevant race does not win;

(b) if either of the relevant races is decided in the bettor's favour and the other relevant race results in a dead heat for first place, the money bet by the bettor must be put together and divided equally between the bettor and the bookmaker;

(c) if both of the competitors backed by the bettor run a dead heat for first place, the money bet by the bettor must be put together and divided in the proportion of one-fourth to the bettor and three-fourths to the bookmaker;

(d) if the first competitor named in the bet wins and –

(i) the other competitor named in the bet is scratched or withdrawn after the start of the race in which the first competitor is entered; or

(ii) the second of the relevant races is abandoned, or declared a no-race, under the Rules of Racing –

the backer of the first competitor must be paid at starting price odds;

(e) the bet is void if it is made on the day on which both of the relevant races are held and –

(i) the competitor that the bettor has backed to win the first of those races is withdrawn or does not come under starter's orders; or

(ii) the competitor that the bettor has backed to win the second of those races is scratched before the first of those races starts.

28.   Multiple bets

The following conditions apply to a multiple bet:

(a) the bet is determined on the first occasion when the bettor’s selection for a relevant race does not win;

(b) if the bet is in respect of competitors entered in more than one race being held on the same day, the bookmaker must write or otherwise clearly indicate on the reverse side of the relevant betting ticket the names of the particular races selected by the bettor;

(c) if one or more of the competitors backed by the bettor is scratched or withdrawn before the first relevant race starts, the bet is void;

(d) if a competitor backed by the bettor is scratched after the running of the first relevant race, the bet is on the remaining competitor or competitors backed by the bettor at starting price;

(e) if none of the competitors backed by the bettor starts in the relevant races, the bet is void.

29.   Odds and evens bets

(1)  In this regulation –

odds and evens bet means a bet on the contingency that an odd-numbered competitor or an even-numbered competitor backed by the bettor will win a race.

(2)  The following conditions apply to an odds and evens bet:

(a) the number of a competitor in the relevant race is the number of the competitor set out for the race in the program produced by the body conducting the race;

(b) if the bettor correctly backs odd numbers or even numbers as the group of numbers to which the number of the winner of the relevant race belongs, the bookmaker must pay the bettor the face value of the betting ticket;

(c) if there is a dead heat for first place between an even-numbered competitor and an odd-numbered competitor in the relevant race, the bet is void.

30.   Place bets

The following conditions apply to a place bet:

(a) the bet is off if it is made at starting price and –

(i) fewer than 8 competitors start in the relevant race; or

(ii) the favourite for the relevant race starts at odds on;

(b) the bet is on –

(i) first, second and third if 8 or more competitors are entered in the relevant race when the bet is made; or

(ii) first and second if 5, 6 or 7 competitors are entered in the relevant race when the bet is made;

(c) the bookmaker may lay the odds for a win and place in the relevant race if the bookmaker bets win and place in respect of every competitor in that race;

(d) if a bookmaker lays the odds for a win and place pursuant to paragraph (c) , the odds for a place are to be –

(i) one-fourth of the odds for a straight out win if 8 or more competitors are entered in the relevant race when the bet is made; or

(ii) one-third of the odds for a straight out win if 5, 6 or 7 competitors are entered in the relevant race when the bet is made.

31.   3 or 4 placed competitors bets

(1)  In this regulation –

3 or 4 placed competitors bet means a bet that requires the bettor to back, from each race in a group of 3 or 4 races displayed on the bookmaker's board, a competitor to run a place, where each competitor's odds have been displayed on the bookmaker's board and been added together to achieve bet-value (bet-value being the overall odds payable on a winning bet).

(2)  The following conditions apply to a 3 or 4 placed competitors bet:

(a) the bet is determined on the first occasion when the bettor’s selection for a relevant race loses or is taken to have lost;

(b) if any one or more of the backed competitors is scratched before the first relevant race is run, the bet is void;

(c) winning bets are not subject to any betting deductions for late scratchings;

(d) provided that all scratchings occur after the first relevant race starts –

(i) if a scratching prevents a win, the remaining placed competitors must be paid at the product of the relative totalizator place odds; and

(ii) if there are 3 scratchings, the remaining placed competitor must be paid at the relative totalizator place odds.

32.   Starting price bets

A starting price bet is to be settled on the basis of the prices as determined by the betting supervisor after correct weight is declared, or the all-clear is given, for the relevant race.

33.   Bets on competitors entered in 2 or more races or meetings on same day

(1)  If a bettor backs, at starting price, a competitor that is entered in more than one race on the same day, the following conditions apply to the bet:

(a) the bookmaker must ensure that the relevant betting ticket is clearly endorsed with the race selected by the bettor;

(b) unless otherwise indicated on the relevant betting ticket, the bet refers to the first race in which the competitor starts but the bet is off if that race is a walk-over.

(2)  If the bettor backs a competitor that is entered in more than one race on the same day, then, unless otherwise indicated on the relevant betting ticket, the bet refers to the first race in which the competitor starts on that day.

PART 4 - Sports Bets

Division 1 - Preliminary

34.   Application of Part

This Part applies to betting, by and with bookmakers, on contingencies relating to approved sports events.

35.   Interpretation of Part

(1)  In this Part –

competitor means a competitor in an event, whether that competitor is an individual, or a pair, squad or other recognised grouping or team.

(2)  Expressions that are defined with a reference to a race and used in this Part are to be interpreted with the reference to a race being taken to be a reference to an event.

(3)  An example given at the foot of a regulation in this Part does not form part of these regulations.

Division 2 - Betting controls

Subdivision 1 - Betting odds

36.   Obligations of bookmakers regarding display of odds &c.

A bookmaker who is engaging in sports bookmaking must, on or about the bookmaker’s betting stand, display –

(a) the name of the events in respect of which the bookmaker is fielding; and

(b) the kinds of sports bets that may be placed with the bookmaker on the events; and

(c) the odds being offered by the bookmaker on the events; and

(d) if relevant to any of the events, the points start.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.

37.   Obligation of bookmakers regarding laying of odds

A bookmaker must, if asked to do so by a bettor, lay odds to the sum of $1.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.

Subdivision 2 - Sports bet determinations

38.   Determining when bets are void

A sports bet is void if –

(a) when the bet is made it is impossible for the bettor to win; or

(b) it is accepted after the relevant event, inclusive of any tie-breaker, has been held; or

(c) it is accepted after the official start of the relevant event; or

(d) it is void under another provision of these regulations.

39.   Determining when bets are off

A sports bet is not capable of being declared off otherwise than by agreement between the parties to the bet.

40.   Determination of results: dependence on official or podium positions

Unless the bookmaker and the bettor concerned agree otherwise, when a sports bet is made –

(a) the sports bet is determined according to the official or podium positions in the relevant event as adjudged by the controlling official; and

(b) a subsequent disqualification, promotion or other change is to be disregarded in determining the result of the sports bet.

41.   Determination of results: dependence on tie-breakers

Except as otherwise provided in this Part, the result of an event is to be determined on the basis of any tie-breaker.

42.   Points start (handicap betting)

If a sports bet involves a points start, then, unless the bookmaker and the bettor agree otherwise, when the sports bet is made –

(a) such a points start is set to half a point; and

(b) unless the official rules of the relevant event provide otherwise, the result of the relevant event is to be determined on the basis of any tie-breaker.

43.   Odds not offered for tie in handicap betting event

If, taking into account the points start, a handicap betting event results in a tie –

(a) all single sports bets on the event are off and are to be refunded; and

(b) all multiple sports bets encompassing the event stand but are to be recalculated exclusive of that event.

44.   Odds offered for tie, draw or dead heat

If an event results in a tie and odds on that result were offered by a bookmaker –

(a) the result of the event for the purposes of a sports bet made with that bookmaker is to be determined exclusive of any tie-breaker; and

(b) such a sports bet is taken to have been lost if it was for any result other than a tie.

45.   Odds not offered for tie, draw or dead heat: generally

If an event results in tied winners or tied place-getters and odds on that result were not offered by a bookmaker, the revised dividend for a winning sports bet placed with that bookmaker on that event is to be calculated in accordance with the following formula:

where –

F is the face value of the betting ticket (the original dividend);

C is the number of the competitors involved in the tie;

P is the number of official placings to be filled by the competitors figuring in the tie.

Subdivision 3 - Cancellations, postponements and relocations

46.   Effect of cancellation, postponements and relocations

A sports bet is off, and the stake is to be refunded, if –

(a) the relevant event is cancelled before it starts; or

(b) the relevant event is abandoned after it starts; or

(c) a result is not officially declared in the relevant event.

47.   Effect of delay in rescheduling postponed events

(1)  This regulation applies if –

(a) the relevant event for a sports bet is postponed; and

(b) the relevant event is not held within the 8-day period immediately following the day on which, but for the postponement, it was to have been held.

(2)  When the 8-day period referred to in subregulation (1)(b) expires in respect of a relevant event –

(a) the event is taken to have been cancelled; and

(b) a single sports bet on the event is off and the stake is to be refunded; and

(c) a multiple sports bet encompassing that event is to be recalculated exclusive of that event.

48.   Effect of change in venue

(1)  This regulation applies if –

(a) the relevant event for a sports bet involves named competitors; and

(b) the venue for the relevant event is changed for any reason before the event starts.

(2)  If the change of venue for a relevant event is officially announced, then, unless the bookmaker and bettor concerned agreed otherwise when the sports bet was made –

(a) the sports bet is off; and

(b) the stake is to be refunded.

Subdivision 4 - General

49.   Right of bookmaker to cease sports betting

(1)  A bookmaker who is engaging in sports bookmaking may cease that activity at any time without notice to any person.

(2)  The cessation of the activity does not affect any sports bets accepted before the time of cessation.

50.   Sports bets generally presumed to be all-in bets

A sports bet is taken to have been made on an all-in basis unless the bookmaker and bettor concerned agreed otherwise when the sports bet was made.

51.   All-up and multiple sports bets may be made across different events

An all-up or multiple sports bet involving 2 or more contingencies may be made across different events.

52.   Multiple sports bets

(1)  In this regulation –

return, for a bet, means the return to the bettor.

(2)  Unless the bookmaker and the bettor concerned agree otherwise when it is made, the following conditions apply to a sports bet involving more than one contingency:

(a) if the bettor's selection for any one of the contingencies loses or is taken to have lost, the whole sports bet is lost;

(b) if one or more of the relevant events results in a tie –

(i) the revised return for each contingency is to be calculated by applying the method set out in regulation 45 ; and

(ii) the revised dividend payable is to be the amount obtained as the product of the cumulative odds applicable and the original stake;

(c) if –

(i) the sports bet is in respect of 2 or more events and any of the events is decided in the bettor's favour; but

(ii) any remaining event is postponed or abandoned and is not held within the 8-day period immediately following the day on which, but for the postponement, it was to have been held –

the revised dividend is to be the amount obtained, as the product of the cumulative odds applicable (when the sports bet was made) to the events decided in the bettor's favour, plus the original stake.

(3)  Unless the bookmaker quoted special odds when it was placed, a multiple sports bet in respect of related contingencies in the same event is void.

Example 1

A bet that a soccer team will, firstly, win a particular match 3-0 and, secondly, score all of those goals in the second half of the match.

Example 2

A bet that a yacht in the Sydney-Hobart yacht race will, firstly, be first out of Sydney harbour and, secondly, win line honours.

Example 3

A bet that a bowler in a cricket match will, firstly, take a hat trick and, secondly, pass a Test wicket-taking record.

53.   Sports bets on scratched competitors, &c., where events are postponed and not held within 8 days

A sports bet stands and no refund is payable if –

(a) the sports bet is made in respect of a competitor that is later scratched or withdrawn from, or disqualified from entering, the relevant event; and

(b) following the time of scratching, withdrawal or disqualification, the relevant event is postponed; and

(c) the relevant event is not held within the 8-day period immediately following the day on which, but for the postponement, it was to have been held.

Subdivision 5 - Settlement of sports bets

54.   Settlement of winning sports bets: winning bets

(1)  A bookmaker's liability to pay a winning sports bet arises as soon as the controlling official declares the result of the event.

(2)  A bookmaker must pay the full amount of a winning sports bet to a bettor except where the amount payable includes a fraction of 10 cents, in which case the payment must be made to the nearest 5 cents.

55.   Sports bets not affected by postponements, &c., if relevant contingencies concluded

The abandonment or postponement of a relevant event does not affect or nullify sports bets made in respect of contingencies in that event that have been concluded before the abandonment or postponement is officially announced.

Example 1

A bet that a particular player will win the first set of a tennis match where the match is abandoned after the first set because of rain.

Example 2

A bet that a batter will make a century in a cricket match where the match is abandoned after the batter's innings because of poor light.

Example 3

A bet that a particular yacht will be first to round a mark in a yacht race that is postponed, because of light winds, after the mark has been rounded legitimately by any yacht in the race.

PART 5 - Miscellaneous

56.   Other conditions on race field information publication approvals

(1)  In this regulation –

approval means a race field information publication approval;

specified body means any of the following:

(a) Tasracing;

(b) the relevant racing control body of another State or a Territory that is responsible for each code of racing in that State or Territory;

(c) the Australian Racing Board;

(d) Harness Racing Australia Inc.;

(e) Greyhounds Australasia Limited;

wagering operations means operations relating to –

(a) betting conducted by a bookmaker, totalizator or any other wagering operator on a fixed-odds basis; or

(b) betting conducted by means of a totalizator; or

(c) betting conducted by means of a betting exchange.

(2)  For the purposes of section 128(4)(a) of the Act, conditions relating to the preservation of the integrity and reputation of the relevant kind of racing in Tasmania, including, but not limited to, the following conditions, are prescribed as integrity conditions:

(a) requiring the approval holder to provide Tasracing with access to all the approval holder's betting information and analyses in relation to the race field information covered by the approval;

(b) requiring the approval holder to furnish information to any inquiry or investigation specified by Tasracing within the time specified by Tasracing;

(c) requiring the approval holder to cooperate with any inquiry or investigation specified by Tasracing, including by providing requested details of any betting account to the inquiry or investigation;

(d) requiring the approval holder to permit Tasracing to monitor wagering activity that relates to the race field information covered by the approval;

(e) requiring the approval holder not to open or maintain any account for a person who is the subject of a warning-off notice issued by a specified body or steward or who is disqualified from participating in any racing activities by a specified body or steward;

(f) requiring the approval holder to require any person who opens a wagering account with the approval holder to prove their identity in accordance with standards sufficient to comply with the prescribed verification procedure pursuant to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 of the Commonwealth;

(g) requiring the approval holder to use a secure computer system, or other system approved by Tasracing, for the approval holder's wagering operations to ensure that a proper audit trail of all wagers is kept;

(h) requiring the approval holder to participate, where the approval holder is able to do so, in any online wagering monitoring system specified by Tasracing;

(i) if the approval holder conducts wagering operations, in Australia or in a country outside Australia, requiring the approval holder to hold (and continue to hold) an appropriate licence or authority (however described) under relevant State or Territory legislation or legislation of that country outside Australia that authorises the approval holder to carry out those wagering operations;

(j) requiring the approval holder to notify Tasracing immediately on the commencement, in Tasmania or elsewhere, of any prosecution or disciplinary action against the approval holder under any racing-related legislation, rules of racing or rules of betting.

57.   Club registration

(1)  In this regulation –

city area means –

(a) the area situated within a radius of 12 kilometres from the General Post Office at Hobart; or

(b) the area situated within a radius of 12 kilometres from the General Post Office at Launceston.

(2)  For the purposes of section 108(7)(a)(iii) of the Act, the prescribed number of members is –

(a) in the case of a club that holds, or proposes to hold, race meetings in a city area, 75 members; and

(b) for any other club, 20 members.

(3)  For the purposes of section 108(7)(a)(iv) of the Act, the prescribed amount for the aggregate annual membership subscription is –

(a) in the case of a club that holds, or proposes to hold, race meetings in a city area, $200; and

(b) for any other club, $20.

(4)  For the purposes of section 108(7)(a)(v) of the Act, the prescribed conditions for a racecourse are –

(a) the track of the racecourse is suitable for the kind of racing proposed to be held at the racecourse by the club; and

(b) the racecourse has sufficient suitable infrastructure and facilities to enable that kind of racing to be held efficiently and safely; and

(c) the racecourse has adequate seating, sanitation and refreshment facilities in relation to its crowd-carrying capacity; and

(d) in the case of a horse racing club, the racecourse has adequate first aid, medical evacuation and related facilities in case of injury to jockeys, riders or drivers; and

(e) the racecourse has adequate veterinary facilities in case of injury to horses or greyhounds; and

(f) neither the club holding racing at the racecourse, nor any other person, is in contravention of a law relating to fire safety, electricity safety or gas safety in relation to the racecourse.

58.   Prescribed bodies

For the purpose of the definition of racing industry association in section 3 of the Act, the following bodies are prescribed:

(a) Australian Trainers’ Association (Tasmanian Branch);

(b) Racehorse Owners Association Tasmania;

(c) TasBreeders;

(d) Tasmanian Jockeys’ Association;

(e) Light Harness Tasmania;

(f) North Western Tasmania Light Harness Association;

(g) Northern Tasmanian Light Harness Association;

(h) Breeders, Owners, Trainers and Reinspersons Association (BOTRA) Tasmania

(i) Greyhound Owners, Trainers and Breeders Association (GOTBA) of Tasmania.

59.   Savings and transitional regulations

(1)  In this regulation –

Director of Racing means the Director of Racing under the Racing Regulation Act 2004;

former notice means a notice issued by the Director of Racing for the purposes of paragraph (b) of the definition of special race in regulation 3(1) of the Racing (Bookmaker Betting) Regulations 2015.

(2)  A former notice that is in effect immediately before the commencement of these regulations is taken to be a notice issued by Tasracing for the purposes of paragraph (b) of the definition of special race in regulation 3(1) of these regulations.

60.   Prescribed fees

The fees specified in Schedule 1 are –

(a) prescribed as the fees that are payable under the Act and these regulations for the matters to which they respectively relate; and

(b) exclusive of GST.

61.   Prescribed deposits

The deposits specified in Schedule 2 are –

(a) prescribed as the deposits that are payable under the Act for the matters to which they respectively relate; and

(b) exclusive of GST.

SCHEDULE 1 - Prescribed Fees

Regulation 60

SCHEDULE 2 - Prescribed Deposits

Regulation 61

Displayed and numbered in accordance with the Rules Publication Act 1953.

Notified in the Gazette on 27 November 2024

These regulations are administered in the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the regulation)

(a) matters relating to bookmakers’ registration bonds; and

(b) requirements on betting by and with bookmakers; and

(c) conditions which may be imposed on race field information publication approvals; and

(d) fees and deposits payable under that Act.