These regulations set out detailed, practical rules for bookmakers, bettors, wagering operators, Tasracing and racing clubs in Tasmania. They specify how registration bonds, partnerships, fees and deposits operate; how odds must be offered and displayed; how racing and sports bets are made, determined and paid; and the information, identity‑checking and monitoring obligations that approval holders must meet. The rules matter because they assign payment obligations (commissions, fees, deposits), inspection and enforcement powers to Tasracing and create specific compliance duties for bookmakers and wagering operators.
These regulations operationalise the Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 for bookmaker betting, racing bets and sports bets, and prescribe a range of administrative matters that Tasracing will enforce. They take effect on the day section 192 of the Act commences (reg 2). The instrument sets definitional scaffolding (reg 3), creates enforceable duties for bookmakers and bettors, prescribes settlement rules for racing and sports bets (Parts 3 and 4), establishes supervision and inspection powers for Tasracing-appointed betting supervisors (reg 12), prescribes fees and deposits (regs 60-61; Schedules 1-2), and sets conditions for race-field information approvals and club registration (regs 56-57). It also deals with registration bonds and their enforcement (reg 4), partnerships between bookmakers (reg 5), and transitional savings for pre-existing notices (reg 59).
Mechanically, the regulations:
Define the legal vocabulary used by Tasracing and market participants for betting products and operational events (reg 3). The definitions govern timing and settlement rules (for example, all-in, all-up bet, starting price, special race).
Prescribe how bookmakers must offer and display odds when fielding on a racecourse (reg 15) and what they must display when engaging in sports bookmaking (reg 36).
Set mandatory minimum lay and liability rules for bookmakers (reg 16, reg 37), including explicit maximum potential liability caps for on-course laying (standard $1,000, and $200 on King Island) (reg 16(2)-(3)).
Fix when bookmakers’ payment obligations crystallise for racing and for sports bets (reg 21(1), reg 54(1)), and how particular outcomes (dead heats, walk-overs, scratchings, reruns, postponements, cancellations) affect settlement (regs 19-24; 46-55).
Current sections
Direct links to the current provisions in Racing Regulation and Integrity Regulations 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.
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
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.
(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
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
Division 2 Settlement of bets
7
Settlement of bets if bookmaker or bettor dies
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.
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
Division 3 Compliance and supervision
9
Bookmakers must comply with betting controls
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
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
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
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
Part 3 Racing Bets
13
Application of Part
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
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.
Subdivision 1
Betting odds
Subdivision 1 Betting odds
15
Obligations of bookmakers regarding offer and display of 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
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.
(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
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
Subdivision 2 Racing bet determinations
18
General rule for determining bets
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
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
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.
(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
Subdivision 3 Settlement of racing bets
21
Settlement of bets: winning 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
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
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.
(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
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
Subdivision 4 Conditions applicable to particular racing bets
25
All-up 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Part 4 Sports Bets
34
Application of Part
34 Application of Part
This Part applies to betting, by and with bookmakers, on contingencies relating to approved sports events.
35
Interpretation of Part
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.
36
Obligations of bookmakers regarding display of odds &c.
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
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.
38
Determining when bets are void
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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.
46
Effect of cancellation, 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
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
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.
49
Right of bookmaker to cease sports betting
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
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
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
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
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
Subdivision 5 Settlement of sports bets
54
Settlement of winning sports bets: winning 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
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
Part 5 Miscellaneous
56
Other conditions on race field information publication approvals
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
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.
(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
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
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
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
| Item | Matter | Fee(Fee units) |
| 1. | Application under section 134(2)(b) of the Act for registration as a bookmaker | 100 |
| 2. | Application under section 134(2)(b) of the Act for registration as a bookmaker's agent | 10 |
| 3. | Application under section 149(2)(b) of the Act for an on-course telephone betting endorsement, an off-course telephone betting endorsement or an off-course function betting endorsement | 100 |
| Item | Matter | Deposit |
| 1. | Deposit under section 79(3) of the Act on an appeal to the TRAB under section 77 of the Act | $200 |
| 2. | Deposit under section 79(3) of the Act on a minor appeal to the TRAB | $200 |
| 3. | Deposit under section 79(3) of the Act on a major appeal to the TRAB | $500 |
These regulations are administered in the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania.
Source text: opening excerpt
Sourced from Tasmanian Legislation Online (legislation.tas.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
Part 1 Preliminary
Part 1 Preliminary
1 Short title
1 Short title
These regulations may be cited as the Racing Regulation and Integrity Regulations 2024 .
2 Commencement
2 Commencement
These regulations take effect on the day on which section 192 of the Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 commences.
3 Interpretation
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 of the Act;
Provide Tasracing the power to enforce registration bonds and set out the sequence for applying recovered bond amounts (reg 4(2)-(5)). Enforcement proceeds are recoverable as a debt to the Crown (reg 4(2)(c)(iii)).
Create obligations on approved race-field information publishers to cooperate with Tasracing’s integrity monitoring, including access to wagering data, identity verification consistent with the Commonwealth Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006, and secure systems (reg 56(2)(a)-(j)).
Prescribe practical administrative numbers and amounts: prescribed member counts and subscription thresholds for club registration (reg 57(2)-(3)), fee units for registration applications (Schedule 1), and deposits for appeal processes to the TRAB (Schedule 2).
The regulations introduce concrete, operational rules for the conduct of bookmaking and settlement in Tasmania. They combine detailed betting-product rules (how specific bet types are treated) with supervisory and administrative measures that allocate enforcement rights and financial priority in the event of bookmaker insolvency or default. The instrument also establishes monitoring and compliance expectations for publishers and operators that supply race field information or run wagering operations (reg 56).
Main concepts
The regulations are built around a set of precise operational concepts. The key definitional and conceptual building blocks are contained in reg 3 and repeated or applied across Parts 3-5. Those concepts determine what is payable, when liabilities arise and how disputes are resolved.
All-in and all-up: An "all-in" bet is one that stands whether or not the backed competitor starts, with no refund (reg 3, definition). An "all-up bet" is a single stake on a sequence of two or more races from the same meeting where winnings from one race are automatically reinvested on the next race (reg 3, definition). These definitions determine refund and scratch rules for multiple bets (regs 24-28).
Betting products: The instrument defines numerous bet-types with precise settlement rules, including fixed-price bet, starting-price bet, place bet, concession bet, doubles, multiple and odds-and-evens bets (regs 3, 16, 17, 21-33). Each product has bespoke rules on voiding, off-status, scratchings and dead heats (for example regs 19-23, 25-33).
Controlling stewards and controlling official: The controlling stewards for a race or the controlling official for an event determine official results and protests; many settlement rules tie to their decisions (reg 3 definitions; regs 18, 20, 23, 40). The regulations treat declarations such as correct weight and all-clear as the triggering events for bookmaker liabilities (reg 18(1); reg 21(1)).
Special race and starting price: "Special race" includes Group races or races Tasracing declares on the Gazette; fixed-price bets and their off/all-in status differ depending on whether a race is special (reg 3; reg 20(1)-(2)). "Starting price" is defined and its determination is entrusted to the betting supervisor if bookmakers are fielding, or by totalizator price if not (reg 3; reg 32).
Betting supervisor and Tasracing powers: A "betting supervisor" is an appointee under the Act (reg 3); betting supervisors receive identity cards and may inspect records and direct bookmakers (reg 12). Tasracing can enforce registration bonds, approve partnerships and require information from publishers holding race-field approvals (regs 4, 5, 56).
Registration bond, guarantor and surety: Registration bonds are security given under specific sections of the Act and remain in force for the registration period plus six months (reg 4(1)-(2)(a)). Tasracing can enforce bonds for unpaid commission, other amounts payable under the Act or unpaid bets (reg 4(2)(b)).
Integrity conditions for approvals: Race-field information approval holders are subject to prescribed integrity conditions such as providing wagering data, participating in monitoring systems, AML identity verification and secure systems, and permitting Tasracing to monitor wagering (reg 56(1)-(2)(a)-(j)).
Sports betting rules: Sports bets are generally treated as all-in unless otherwise agreed (reg 50), are determined by official or podium positions as adjudged by the controlling official with subsequent disqualifications disregarded (reg 40), and are subject to an 8‑day rule for postponed events (reg 47).
Several provisions set interaction rules between the regulations and other instruments: GST references (reg 3), the Commonwealth AML/CTF Act for identity verification (reg 56(2)(f)), Rules of Racing and Rules of Betting for matters such as protests, walk-overs and withdrawals (reg 3 definitions; regs 18, 20, 23). The regulations therefore operate as an operational overlay to the Act and existing racing rules.
Who it affects
The regulations affect a compact set of regulated actors and a wider set of market participants. The primary categories are:
Registered bookmakers and bookmakers’ agents: Core obligations fall on bookmakers and their agents. Bookmakers must offer and publicly display odds when fielding on a racecourse (reg 15), lay odds to specified minima and within specified liability caps (reg 16), accept certain starting-price bets (reg 17), keep records and settle bets according to the regulations (regs 9, 11, 21). Bookmaker agents are subject to the same duties when accepting bets and their acts can bind principals unless the principal proves due diligence (reg 9(2)-(4)).
Tasracing: The regulator with multiple operational and enforcement powers. Tasracing issues identity cards to betting supervisors and directs betting supervisors and approvals (reg 12). It can enforce registration bonds (reg 4), approve bookmaker partnerships (reg 5), require approvals to comply with integrity conditions (reg 56) and receive fees and deposits under Schedules 1 and 2 (regs 60-61).
Betting supervisors: Persons appointed under the Act who exercise inspection and direction powers at race meetings and in relation to records and betting tickets (reg 12). Betting supervisors determine starting price (reg 3 definition of starting price; reg 32) and may require bookmakers to comply with written or oral directions (reg 12(2)(d)).
Bettors: The regulations impose duties on bettors not to attempt to induce a bookmaker to contravene the settlement rules (reg 10) and prescribe how bettors are to be paid (regs 21(2), 22, 54(2)). Bettors are also affected by the wide set of rules governing when bets are void, off, or determined.
Approval holders and race-field information publishers: Parties who hold race-field information publication approvals must comply with integrity conditions prescribed in reg 56, including providing wagering data, participating in monitoring systems, and AML identity verification (reg 56(1)-(2)).
Clubs and racing bodies: Club registration requirements (reg 57) prescribe membership and subscription thresholds and the physical and safety conditions required of racecourses. Prescribed racing industry associations are listed (reg 58), which affects standing for industry engagement under the Act.
Guarantors and sureties: Persons who provide registration bonds (reg 4(1)) can be called on by Tasracing for unpaid commissions or bets and, where sums are recovered, may receive remaining balances subject to priority rules (reg 4(3)-(4)).
Controllers and stewards from other jurisdictions: The regulations expressly reference controlling stewards and relevant racing bodies in other states and territories for determinations on reruns, dividends and special race declarations (reg 23, reg 56(1)(b)).
Indirectly affected parties include totalizator operators (totalizator prices are used to determine starting price in some circumstances; reg 3 definition of starting price; reg 32), bookmakers and wagering operators licensed outside Australia but conducting wagering operations connected to race-field information approvals (reg 56(2)(i)), and persons subject to warning-off or disqualification who may be refused wagering account access by approval holders (reg 56(2)(e)).
Operationally significant groupings: Tasracing has the authority to demand access to wagering data and to specify monitoring systems (reg 56(2)(a), (d), (h)), which means data providers, offshore wagering platforms and betting exchanges that publish or rely on race-field information are within the practical scope of these regulations even if they are not Tasmanian-registered bookmakers.
Key duties and rights
The regulations allocate duties and limited rights across participants. Key duties and rights, enumerated and grounded in the text, include:
Obligations of bookmakers and their agents
Display and offering duties: When fielding on a racecourse, a bookmaker must offer odds on each competitor in each race and publicly display those odds in a manner and for a period Tasracing approves or directs (reg 15(1)(a)-(b)). A bookmaker fielding on a racecourse must not display odds for an off-course race unless the bookmaker also offers and displays odds on every competitor in that off-course race (reg 15(2)).
Laying obligations and liability caps: A bookmaker fielding on a racecourse who offers odds against a competitor must lay those odds on request, subject to a cap preventing potential loss exceeding $1,000 for ordinary locations and $200 for King Island (reg 16(2)-(3)). Bookmakers must lay odds to a minimum of 50 cents (or 50 cents each way) if requested (reg 16(4)). If unable to accommodate a bettor’s requested liability above the maximum, the bookmaker must inform the bettor of the maximum liability and offer to accommodate that maximum (reg 16(5)).
Starting price acceptance: Subject to limited exceptions, a bookmaker offering odds against a competitor must accept a starting-price bet of up to $5 from a bettor who demands it (reg 17(1)-(2)). A starting-price bet is settled on prices determined by the betting supervisor after correct weight or all-clear (reg 32; reg 21(1)).
Record and settlement compliance: Bookmakers and agents who accept bets must settle them in accordance with the regulations and comply with any conditions (reg 9(1)-(2)). A bookmaker cannot cancel a bet merely because the bookmaker failed to comply with the regulations when accepting the bet (reg 11).
Cooperation with betting supervisors: Bookmakers must not obstruct a betting supervisor and must comply with directions and produce betting records and tickets for inspection on request (reg 12(2)-(4)).
Rights and constraints of bookmakers
Right to cease sports bookmaking: A bookmaker may cease engaging in sports bookmaking at any time, without notice; bets accepted before cessation remain effective (reg 49).
Limited rejection rights: Bookmakers are entitled to refuse bets that would oblige them to exceed the liability caps set by the regulations, provided they comply with the disclosure/offer obligations in reg 16(5).
Partnership approvals and dissolution consequences: Bookmakers may form partnerships with Tasracing approval (reg 5), but the partnership must lodge and secure approval of a deed of partnership before commencing business (reg 5(6)(a)), and the partnership dissolves automatically if any partner’s registration is suspended or cancelled (reg 5(7)).
Duties of bettors
Prohibition on inducing non-compliance: Bettors must not try to induce bookmakers to settle bets otherwise than in accordance with the regulations, nor to contravene conditions that apply to a bet (reg 10).
Ticket and stake rules: Bettors are subject to the various product-specific settlement rules set out for all-up, concession, doubles, multiple, odds-and-evens and place bets (regs 25-31).
Settlement and timing rights
Triggering events for bookmaker liability: For racing bets, bookmakers’ liabilities arise when correct weight is declared or the all-clear is given, or upon stewards’ decision if there is a protest (reg 18(1)-(2); reg 21(1)). For sports bets, liability arises when the controlling official declares the result (reg 54(1)).
Dead heat and rounding rules: Dead heat payments are governed by reg 22 and other provisions. Payments that include fractions of 10 cents must be rounded to the nearest 5 cents for both racing and sports bets (reg 21(2), reg 54(2)).
Tasracing and approval-holder duties and rights
Enforce bonds and priority of application: Tasracing may enforce registration bonds for unpaid commission, other monies payable under the Act, or bets payable by the guarantor (reg 4(2)(b)). Recovered security amounts are recoverable notwithstanding that they relate to betting, treated as liquidated damages and recoverable as a debt to the Crown (reg 4(2)(c)(i)-(iii)). Tasracing must deduct recovery costs then apply the balance first to commissions and other money payable to Tasracing and second to bettors, with pro rata distribution if insufficient (reg 4(3)-(5)).
Integrity and monitoring conditions: Approval holders for race-field information must provide wagering information and analyses, permit Tasracing monitoring, use secure systems and participate in specified monitoring systems where able; they must require identity verification to AML/CTF standards for account opening and hold appropriate licences where they conduct wagering operations (reg 56(2)(a)-(i)). They must notify Tasracing immediately of prosecutions or disciplinary action (reg 56(2)(j)).
Administrative duties
Fees and deposits: The regulations prescribe application fees (Schedule 1) and appeal deposits to TRAB (Schedule 2). Fees are exclusive of GST (reg 60).
Club registration standards: The regulations prescribe member counts and aggregate subscription amounts for clubs depending on whether the club holds race meetings in a city area, and set racecourse facility and safety standards (reg 57).
The rules tightly link operational timing (correct weight, all-clear, controlling official declarations) to settlement, allocate priority to Tasracing and bettors on bond enforcement, and embed data access, security and AML obligations in modern wagering operations.
Penalties and enforcement
The regulations combine statutory penalties, administrative enforcement mechanisms and financial recovery powers. The enforcement design includes criminal fines for non-compliance, administrative recovery of registration bonds, supervisory powers for betting supervisors, and procedural rules for partnerships and registration.
Monetary penalties and criminal offence structure
Penalty units and fine maxima: Many contraventions attract fines expressed in penalty units. Typical fines include up to 25 penalty units, with continuing offences attracting further fines per day (for example regs 5(6), 9(1)-(2), 10, 12(3)-(4), 15(1), 16(2), 17(1)). Some sports-specific display and minimum-lay breaches are set at a lower maximum of 10 penalty units (reg 36; reg 37). The specific dollar value of a penalty unit is not stated in these regulations and must be taken from the applicable Penalty Unit Act or equivalent.
Agent-principal liability: If an agent commits an offence, the principal is taken to have committed it as well and may be charged and convicted unless the principal proves lack of knowledge and that they used all due diligence to prevent the offence (reg 9(3)-(4)). This creates vicarious liability for principals.
Administrative enforcement and supervision
Betting supervisors’ powers: Betting supervisors appointed by Tasracing receive identity cards and may ask questions, inspect betting records and tickets, and give written or oral directions to ensure compliance (reg 12(1)-(2)). Bookmakers must not obstruct or hinder betting supervisors and must comply with directions (reg 12(3)-(4)). Penalties apply for obstruction or non-compliance.
Registration bond recovery: Tasracing may enforce registration bonds if a guarantor defaults on commission, other sums payable to Tasracing, or a bet payable by the guarantor while the bond is in force (reg 4(2)(b)). Recovered security amounts are recoverable notwithstanding they relate to betting and are not penalties but liquidated damages; they are recoverable in full as a debt due to the Crown unless conditions for defeasance are shown (reg 4(2)(c)(i)-(iii)). Tasracing must deduct recovery costs, apply the balance first to amounts owing to Tasracing (commissions etc), then to bettors, and if insufficient may distribute pro rata among bettors (reg 4(3)-(5)). This creates a specific priority ordering for recovered bond funds.
Partnership approvals and appeals: Tasracing may approve or refuse bookmaker partnership applications and must, on refusal, provide reasons and the applicants’ right of appeal (reg 5(3)-(5)). Approved partnerships may not commence until a deed is lodged and approved, and until all applicants are registered if some were not at application time (reg 5(6)). If a partner’s registration is suspended or cancelled, the partnership is taken to have dissolved immediately (reg 5(7)).
Suspension and debt direction: If a bookmaker’s registration is suspended or cancelled, the person must, within seven days following the suspension or cancellation, pay all outstanding betting debts incurred as a bookmaker in accordance with directions given by Tasracing (reg 8). Failure carries a fine up to 25 penalty units and potential continuing fines per day.
Investigatory and monitoring powers linked to integrity
Race-field information approvals: Tasracing-prescribed integrity conditions require approval holders to provide access to all betting information and analyses in relation to the race-field information covered by the approval and to cooperate with investigations including by furnishing account details (reg 56(2)(a)-(c)). Approval holders must permit Tasracing to monitor wagering activity and to use secure systems with proper audit trails (reg 56(2)(d), (g)-(h)). Approval holders must also ensure identity verification consistent with the Commonwealth AML/CTF Act (reg 56(2)(f)), and notify Tasracing immediately of prosecutions or disciplinary action (reg 56(2)(j)).
Cross-jurisdictional reach: The integrity conditions apply to approval holders regardless of whether the wagering operations are conducted in Australia or overseas; Tasracing can require evidence of appropriate licensing or authority under relevant State, Territory or foreign legislation (reg 56(2)(i)). This creates an enforcement interface with offshore operators who provide race-field information or conduct wagering.
Procedural enforcement and recovery
Record loss and Tasracing determination: If records required under the Act are lost or destroyed and are needed to calculate commission, Tasracing determines the commission after such inquiry as it makes on available information (reg 6). This places the evidential burden on bookmakers to retain records; absence permits Tasracing to set commissions as it sees fit based on available data.
Recoverability as Crown debt: Enforcement of registration bonds is explicitly framed to be recoverable as a debt to the Crown and treated as liquidated damages (reg 4(2)(c)(ii)-(iii)), a stronger recovery posture than ordinary private debt collection.
Financial and procedural rights
Priority distribution: The recovered bond funds are to be applied in a specified sequence (recovery costs, Tasracing monies, bettors), and any residual is paid to the guarantor or surety (reg 4(3)-(4)). If insufficient for bettors, Tasracing may distribute pro rata (reg 4(5)).
Appeal deposit conditions: The regulations prescribe appeal deposits for TRAB appeals (Schedule 2), establishing both a frictional cost to lodging appeals ($200 for minor/appeals under specified sections and $500 for major appeals).
Collectively, these enforcement provisions combine criminal fines, immediate administrative supervisory powers at race meetings, financial enforcement through bonds with Crown-priority recoverability, and investigative powers applied to data and account access for approval holders. The design gives Tasracing multiple levers to enforce compliance and to secure funds owed to the racing industry and bettors.
How it interacts with other laws
The regulations are drafted to operate alongside the Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 and other statutes and rules. The instrument explicitly references and relies upon external legal instruments and existing racing rules for interpretation and operation.
Relationship with the Act
Defined linkage: The regulations define "Act" as the Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 (reg 3). Numerous provisions rely on powers or definitions in the Act: registration bonds are those given under ss 135 or 151 of the Act (reg 4(1)); Tasracing’s commission is as defined under s 164 of the Act (reg 3 definition of commission); betting supervisors are appointed under s 68(1)(b) of the Act (reg 3 definition). Several procedural rules (registration, endorsements, appeals to TRAB) are implemented as regulations under the Act (regs 5, Schedules).
Enforcement and appeal interfaces: The regulations tie into appeal processes under the Act by prescribing appeal deposits for TRAB matters (Schedule 2 referring to s 79(3) and s 77 of the Act).
Interaction with Rules of Racing and Rules of Betting
Controlling stewards and protests: Many settlement rules depend on the Rules of Racing. "Protest" is defined as complying with the Rules of Racing (reg 3). Bets are determined on correct weight or all-clear and by the stewards’ decisions where a protest is lodged before correct weight (reg 18). Rerun, withdrawal or other steward orders can require bookmakers to draw lines on records and settle bets according to orders (reg 20(3), reg 23).
Totalizator and starting price: Where no bookmakers are fielding, starting price may be the totalizator price, and stewards’ orders may require payment at totalizator odds (reg 3; reg 20(6)(b); reg 23(2)(c)(ii)).
Commonwealth statutes and AML/CTF obligations
Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006: Approval holders must require identity verification in accordance with standards sufficient to comply with prescribed verification procedures pursuant to the Commonwealth AML/CTF Act when persons open wagering accounts (reg 56(2)(f)). This links Tasracing’s approval conditions expressly to Commonwealth AML obligations, embedding AML compliance into Tasracing’s integrity regime.
GST reference: "GST" is given the meaning in the Commonwealth A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (reg 3), and fees and deposits are declared exclusive of GST (regs 60-61).
Inter-jurisdictional and foreign licensing
Cross-border licensing and monitoring: Approval holders conducting wagering operations in Australia or overseas are required to hold and continue to hold appropriate licences under relevant State/Territory legislation or foreign laws as applicable (reg 56(2)(i)). Tasracing can require access to data irrespective of where an approval holder conducts operations, so the regulations give Tasracing practical reach into cross-border wagering operations involving Tasmanian race-field information.
Recognition of prior notices and other State instruments: Transitional regulation 59 preserves former notices issued under the Racing Regulation Act 2004 as notices issued by Tasracing for the purposes of the "special race" definition (reg 59). The rules refer to relevant racing control bodies in other States or Territories as prescribed bodies for race-field matters (reg 56(1) and reg 58), creating an explicit interstate administrative network.
Interaction with the Rules Publication Act and administrative law
Publication and Gazette: The regulations prescribe that notices declaring special races are published in the Gazette (reg 3 definition of special race and reg 59 transitional recognition). The Gazette publication interacts with administrative procedures for attaining legal effect.
Recoverability as Crown debt: The treatment of enforcement recoveries as liquidated damages and recoverable as a Crown debt (reg 4(2)(c)(iii)) has implications for priority and possible enforcement mechanisms available to Tasracing beyond ordinary civil remedies.
Practical overlaps and interpretive junctions
Where the regulations reference "official" decisions (controlling official, controlling stewards, betting supervisor), those decisions may be governed by rules and procedural law outside these regulations. The regulations adopt a deferential approach to those adjudicative outcomes, making many settlement consequences turn on decisions under the Rules of Racing or the Act (regs 18, 23, 40, 54).
The regulations create obligations that interact with private contractual arrangements between bookmakers and bettors; they limit contract freedom in particular respects (for example, bet cannot be cancelled because of bookmaker’s own non-compliance , reg 11) and prescribe outcomes for specific contingencies (dead heats, tie outcomes , regs 22, 44, 45).
In short, the regulations are intended to be read as a procedural and operational companion to the Act, with explicit cross-references to Commonwealth AML/CTF obligations, the GST Act, the Rules of Racing/Betting and administrative notices. That architecture gives Tasracing a regulatory and data-access footprint that crosses domestic licensing lines and ties settlement outcomes to the internal adjudication processes of racing authorities.
Amendment history
The regulations themselves record their notification and administrative provenance but do not contain an extended legislative amendment record within the text provided. The instrument was notified in the Gazette on 27 November 2024 (end of document). Key transitional and commencement mechanics are set out as follows:
Commencement: These regulations commence on the day section 192 of the Racing Regulation and Integrity Act 2024 commences (reg 2). That ties the regulatory commencement to an Act provision rather than fixing a stand-alone commencement date in the regulations themselves.
Transitional provisions: Regulation 59 contains savings and transitional arrangements. A "former notice" issued by the Director of Racing under the earlier Racing Regulation Act 2004 is taken to be a notice issued by Tasracing for the purposes of declaring a "special race" under the new regulations (reg 59(1)-(2)). This is the primary transitional device provided in the instrument to preserve previously-declared special races without requiring re-issue.
Repeal/replacement track: The regulations do not set out explicit repeals of the prior 2015 Racing (Bookmaker Betting) Regulations in text. However, reg 59 references the earlier Racing (Bookmaker Betting) Regulations 2015 by preserving existing notices and the definition of special race. Practitioners should check the legal database for statutory repeal and replacement entries tied to the Act’s commencement; the regulations themselves do not include a schedule of repeals.
Administrative management: The regulations state they are administered by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (end of document). They also specify Schedules 1 and 2 setting fees and deposits which may be amended administratively or by formal regulation process in the future.
No textual amendment history (for example, later amending regulations or prior versions) is included in the instrument provided. The instrument is therefore best treated as a new, self-contained regulatory code that supersedes or replaces previous concessionary arrangements, subject to the transitional preservation of prior "special race" notices in reg 59. Practitioners should monitor Gazettes and Tasracing communications for consequential amendments (fee changes, changes to integrity conditions, or the addition/removal of prescribed bodies under reg 58) after commencement.
Litigation history
The legislation text supplied does not contain or cite any case law, decisions, or litigation history. There are no judicial or tribunal decisions mentioned in the regulations themselves. The instrument prescribes procedures for appeals to the Tasmanian Racing Appeal Board (TRAB) by reference to the Act and prescribes deposits for such appeals in Schedule 2 (items referring to s 79(3) and s 77 of the Act), but does not report any litigation outcomes or precedent.
Because the regulations defer to decisions of controlling stewards, controlling officials and betting supervisors for determinative outcomes (for example, reg 18, reg 21(1), reg 32), litigation that might challenge application of the regulations would most likely arise from appeals under the Act (for instance, to the TRAB) or from judicial review of administrative decisions. None of those decisions or proceedings are recorded in the text provided.
Practitioners seeking authoritative interpretations or precedential guidance will need to look to:
Decisions under the Act and TRAB outcomes post-commencement (not contained in these regulations);
Any judicial review decisions challenging Tasracing’s enforcement actions (recovery of bonds, exercise of monitoring powers), which are not referenced here;
Pre-commencement case law under previous regulatory regimes, which is not repeated in these regulations but may remain instructive on interpretation where not displaced.
As of the regulations’ text, no litigation history is supplied.
Gotchas
Several operational features in the regulations carry non-obvious consequences that can materially affect bookmakers, approval holders, bettors and clubs. These are practical points where contract language, timing or Tasracing discretion can alter expected outcomes.
Timing and triggering events
Correct weight and all-clear as the settlement point: For racing bets, bookmaker liability crystallises at correct weight or all-clear (reg 18(1); reg 21(1)). A competitor entered in a race is treated as having run the race unless the controlling stewards declare the competitor scratched or a non-starter before correct weight or all-clear (reg 14(2)). This means that scratches or steward actions after those declarations may not negate liabilities, creating time-critical exposure for bookmakers.
Protests and stewards’ decisions change outcomes: If a protest is lodged before correct weight, bets are determined by the stewards’ decision (reg 18(2)). The prospect of post-race steward reversals affects when liabilities are final and increases the risk of contingent liabilities that hinge on internal steward adjudications.
All-in presumption and sports bets
Sports bets are all-in unless agreed otherwise (reg 50). For bettors, that default removes an expectation of refunds on scratches or non-starts unless explicitly contracted otherwise. For bookmakers, it limits refunds and embeds binding terms that need to be expressly altered if different treatment is intended.
Special race and fixed-price bets
Fixed-price bets on special races have different off/all-in rules depending on when bets are made (reg 20(2)). A fixed-price bet on a special race made before the day of the race is "all-in"; one made on the day is off if the competitor does not start. The interplay between "special race" (reg 3 definition) and the timing of bets is a commercial point for bookmakers and bettors.
Starting price and limits
Limited acceptance obligation for starting price: A bookmaker must not refuse to accept a starting price bet of up to $5 (reg 17(1)). However, the bookmaker is not obliged to accept more than one starting price bet from any one bettor per race (reg 17(2)). This constrains strategies for large-stake starting price wagering.
Determination of starting price is assigned to the betting supervisor and can rely on totalizator prices when no bookmakers are fielding (reg 3 definition and reg 32). That central determination may differ from prices in other jurisdictions and can affect bookmaker risk.
Liability caps and localised exceptions
Liability caps for laying odds: Bookmakers must lay odds when requested but not so as to be obliged to potentially lose more than $1,000 on the bet, and $200 on King Island (reg 16(2)-(3)). This statutory cap constrains high-stake customers and introduces geographic variations (King Island exception).
Minimum-lay obligations: Bookmakers must lay at least 50 cents or 50 cents each way (reg 16(4)); for sports bets, a bookmaker must lay odds to $1 (reg 37). These minima influence small-stake retail operations and ticket issuance.
Record loss, Tasracing determination and evidential risk
If required records are lost or destroyed, Tasracing determines commission based on available information (reg 6). Records absence transfers evidential and quantification power to Tasracing, which can set commission liabilities without the original ledgers.
Registration bonds and priority of recovered funds
Bond enforcement is broad: Tasracing may enforce registration bonds if the guarantor has defaulted on commission, any money payable to Tasracing in compliance with the Act, or a bet payable by the guarantor (reg 4(2)(b)). Recovered amounts are treated as liquidated damages and recoverable as a Crown debt (reg 4(2)(c)(ii)-(iii)). Tasracing must deduct recovery costs and apply funds first to Tasracing monies then to bettors (reg 4(3)). That priority might affect the residual available to guarantors and sureties and may shift the recovery landscape compared with normal insolvency priorities.
Pro rata distributions among bettors: If recovered funds are insufficient to meet bettors’ claims, Tasracing may make a pro rata distribution (reg 4(5)). This is a predictable limited recovery mechanism but not a full redress guarantee for bettors against insolvency.
Approval-holder obligations and data access
Broad data-access and monitoring rights: Approval holders must give Tasracing access to all betting information and analyses relating to the approved race-field information and permit Tasracing to monitor wagering activity (reg 56(2)(a), (d)). They must also participate in online monitoring systems where able (reg 56(2)(h)). That imposes material IT, data-sharing and compliance obligations that may be onerous for offshore or third-party publishers.
AML link: Approval holders must require identity proofing to standards sufficient to comply with the prescribed verification procedures of the Commonwealth AML/CTF Act (reg 56(2)(f)). Operators must align customer onboarding systems with the federal regime.
Operational and administrative pitfalls
Partnership start conditions: A bookmaker partnership cannot commence business until the deed of partnership is lodged and approved, and if not all applicants were registered bookmakers at lodgement, until they are registered (reg 5(6)). Failure to observe these preconditions attracts fines and can invalidate early operations.
Partnership dissolution on suspension: If Tasracing suspends a partner's registration, the partnership is taken to have been dissolved immediately (reg 5(7)). This can create abrupt operational discontinuities and duties to settle outstanding debts within seven days for suspended or cancelled bookmakers (reg 8).
Ticket endorsement obligations: For multiple bets and competitors entered in more than one race on the same day, bookmakers must endorse betting tickets clearly with race names (regs 28(b), 33(1)(a)). Failure to do so may result in disputes over which race was intended.
Notices non-statutory: The definition of "special race" includes a Tasracing notice published in the Gazette and explicitly states that such a notice is not a statutory rule (reg 3(2)). Practitioners should note that some operational declarations depend on Gazette notices rather than subordinate legislation, with implications for procedural challenge routes.
Fees, deposits and administrative costs
Prescribed fees and deposits: Application fees for bookmaker registration and endorsements are prescribed in Schedule 1 (fee units) and deposits for TRAB appeals are prescribed in Schedule 2 (reg 60-61, Schedules). These are fixed cash costs that can affect the economics of registration and appeals.
Taken together, these features create time, evidence and information asymmetries that favour Tasracing’s administrative determinations in several contexts and make compliance with record-keeping, AML checks and data-sharing central to operational continuity.
How to comply
This section provides a practical, compliance-oriented checklist for the materially affected parties: registered bookmakers and their agents, approval holders/race-field publishers, clubs, and guarantors/sureties. Each item references the primary regulation(s) that impose the duty.
For registered bookmakers and bookmakers’ agents
Registration and endorsements: Ensure registration and any on-course or off-course telephone/function betting endorsements are current and compliant with the Act (see reg 3 definition of registration bond and reg 5 partnership conditions). Lodge any partnership deed with Tasracing and secure approval before commencing partnership operations (reg 5(6)(a)). If any partner is not yet registered, do not commence until registration is obtained (reg 5(6)(b)).
Display and offering obligations: When fielding on a racecourse, offer odds on every competitor in each race held on that course that day and display those odds publicly in the manner and for the period Tasracing approves or directs (reg 15(1)(a)-(b)). Do not publicly display odds for races at other racecourses unless you also offer and display odds on every competitor in that race (reg 15(2)).
Minimum and maximum laying rules: Be prepared to lay odds requested by bettors up to the statutory maximum potential liability (standard $1,000; $200 for King Island) and ensure systems can calculate potential loss before acceptance (reg 16(2)-(3)). Maintain capacity to accept minimum stakes (50 cents or 50 cents each way for each-way bets) (reg 16(4)). For sports bets, be able to lay odds to the sum of $1 on request (reg 37).
Starting price and fixed-price handling: Be ready to accept starting-price bets of up to $5 from a single bettor per race when offering odds against a competitor (reg 17). Record starting-price bets to clearly identify the race selection where a competitor is entered in multiple races on the same day (reg 33(1)(a)).
Record-keeping and ticketing: Keep complete betting records and books of account mandated under the Act. Be able to produce records and a betting ticket to a betting supervisor on request (reg 12(2)(b)-(c)). For multi-race bets, ensure betting tickets are endorsed on the reverse with the relevant race names where required (reg 28(b)). Maintain ledgers to avoid Tasracing determining commission in the event of loss or destruction (reg 6).
Responding to steward directions and steward-driven events: Understand steward processes; if controlling stewards order a drawing of a line in betting records or reopening of betting after a rerun order, comply and settle bets according to the stewards’ direction (reg 20(3), reg 23(3)). Know that betting liabilities arise on correct weight/all-clear and that protests before correct weight are determinative (reg 18(1)-(2); reg 21(1)).
Cooperation with betting supervisors and Tasracing: Ensure staff know to show identity cards and comply with betting supervisor directions; do not obstruct supervisors (reg 12(1)-(4)). Keep procedures to comply with oral or written directions (reg 12(2)(d)).
Financial and bond exposure: If acting as a guarantor for a registration bond, maintain liquidity and compliance to avoid enforcement. Understand the six-month continuing effect of a bond after registration ends (reg 4(2)(a)). If enforcement is initiated, Tasracing will deduct recovery costs and apply proceeds in the priority order set out (reg 4(3)-(4)), and may distribute pro rata to bettors if funds are insufficient (reg 4(5)).
Suspension and debts: Plan for the contingency that, upon suspension or cancellation of registration, outstanding betting debts must be paid within seven days as directed by Tasracing (reg 8). Review contractual arrangements with partners and agents to ensure continuity if a partner is suspended, noting that a partnership is treated as dissolved on partner suspension (reg 5(7)).
For approval holders and race-field information publishers
Integrity conditions and data-sharing: Prepare to provide Tasracing full access to betting information and analyses relating to race-field information covered by the approval (reg 56(2)(a)). Establish protocols for prompt provision of information in any inquiry or investigation specified by Tasracing (reg 56(2)(b)-(c)).
Secure systems and audit trails: Implement secure IT systems with proper audit trails for all wagers, or obtain Tasracing approval for alternative systems (reg 56(2)(g)). Where able, plan to participate in any online wagering monitoring system specified by Tasracing (reg 56(2)(h)).
AML and identity verification: Incorporate account-opening identity verification that meets the standards sufficient for compliance with the Commonwealth AML/CTF Act prescribed verification procedures (reg 56(2)(f)). Maintain records of identity checks for inspection and be ready to furnish requested account details to investigations (reg 56(2)(c)).
Licensing and cross-border compliance: If conducting wagering operations in Australia or overseas, ensure you hold appropriate licence(s) under the relevant State, Territory or foreign legislation and be prepared to evidence that to Tasracing (reg 56(2)(i)).
Notification obligations: Notify Tasracing immediately if any prosecution or disciplinary action commences against the approval holder under racing-related legislation, rules of racing or rules of betting (reg 56(2)(j)).
For clubs and racecourse operators
Club registration thresholds: Ensure your membership numbers and aggregate subscription amounts meet the prescribed thresholds depending on whether your race meetings are in a city area , 75 members and $200 for city-area clubs; 20 members and $20 for other clubs (reg 57(2)-(3)). Ensure records and governance documents support those thresholds for registration under s 108 of the Act.
Racecourse infrastructure and safety: Verify that the racecourse meets prescribed conditions including suitability of the track, sufficient infrastructure and facilities, adequate seating, sanitation and refreshment facilities relative to crowd capacity, and, for horse racing, sufficient first aid and medical evacuation facilities; also ensure adequate veterinary facilities (reg 57(4)(a)-(e)). Confirm compliance with fire, electricity and gas safety laws (reg 57(4)(f)).
For guarantors and sureties
Understand the bond lifecycle: Recognise that registration bonds remain in force for the registration period and for six months after expiry or cancellation (reg 4(2)(a)). Regularly check whether your security amount could be applied by Tasracing to unpaid commissions, other monies due to Tasracing, or bets payable by the guarantor (reg 4(2)(b)).
Recovery and residuals: If Tasracing enforces a bond, ensure you understand the priority: recovery costs first, then Tasracing monies, then bettors, with any residual payable to the guarantor or surety (reg 4(3)-(4)). Keep documentation proving performance of defeasible conditions to avoid full recovery as a Crown debt (reg 4(2)(c)(iii)).
Operational templates and controls (practical checklist)
Policies and procedures: Develop written SOPs for accepting, documenting, endorsing and settling each bet type identified in Parts 3 and 4. Include steps for starting-price bets, all-up and multiple bets, concession bets, doubles and place bets (regs 21-33).
Training: Train staff on steward orders, the timing of correct weight/all-clear, and the process for responding to betting supervisor directions (regs 12, 18, 21). Create escalation protocols for disputes and steward-determined outcomes.
Systems: Implement ticketing and ledger systems that capture race date, race number, competitor selection, stake, starting-price or fixed-price classification, and any endorsements required for multiple bets and cross-day selections (regs 28, 33). Ensure capability to round payments to nearest 5 cents where required (regs 21(2), 54(2)).
AML/KYC: Align onboarding and KYC processes with AML/CTF verification standards and retain verification records for inspection (reg 56(2)(f)).
Data retention and backup: Maintain secure backups of betting books and financial records. If records are lost, Tasracing may determine commission on available information (reg 6); prevention is therefore a commercial priority.
Insurance and liquidity planning: Maintain contingency liquidity to meet statutory liability caps, cover bond exposures and satisfy the seven-day payment requirement following suspension/cancellation (reg 8).
Appeal readiness: If contemplating appeals to TRAB, account for prescribed deposits (Schedule 2) and procedure under the Act.
These compliance steps, mapped to specific regulations, are intended to reduce regulatory, operational and financial risk under the new regulatory regime. Parties should keep a close watch on Tasracing directions, Gazette notices (for special race declarations under reg 3), and any further guidance or practice notes issued by Tasracing after commencement.
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
Part 2 Bookmaker Betting
Division 1 Bookmakers
Division 1 Bookmakers
4 Enforcement of registration bonds
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
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
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
Division 2 Settlement of bets
7 Settlement of bets if bookmaker or bettor dies
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.
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
Division 3 Compliance and supervision
9 Bookmakers must comply with betting controls
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
This is an opening excerpt, not the complete document.