Victorian Coalition Government Acts To Strengthen Victorian Racing Industry

The Victorian racing industry, a critical part of the state's economy, will be strengthened with the Victorian Coalition Government introducing to allow for further industry growth.

Minister for Racing Denis Napthine said the Racing Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 introduced into State Parliament this week would amend the Racing Act 1958 to:
· enable Victorian registered bookmakers to accept phone and electronic bets at approved off-course premises;
· remove the current cap of 1% of turnover relating to the Bookmaker's Licence Levy; and
· specify additional bodies to which the Racing Commissioner may disclose integrity related information (including the Australian Crime Commission, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission, Centrelink and Ombudsman Victoria).

“The Coalition Government has today introduced legislation to ensure Victorian-registered bookmakers can compete more effectively with their interstate counterparts by allowing them to take phone and electronic bets at approved off-course locations,” Dr Napthine said.

“Currently, Victorian-registered bookmakers are required to have offices located on racecourses to accept these bets. The advent of new technology and growth in online bookmaking means these facilities are no longer up to standard.

“While bookmakers will still be required to accept all in-person bets on-course, they will now be able to open approved offices subject to monitoring and certain other conditions.

“In addition to the new premises arrangements for bookmakers, the legislation will provide the racing industry with the flexibility to set product fees at a level that provides it with a fair and reasonable return from wagering operators.

“Currently, there is a legislated cap of 1 per cent of wagering turnover for the Bookmaker's Licence Levy. This amendment will remove that cap.

has already indicated it will introduce a new pricing model based on a rate of 1.5 per cent of wagering turnover increasing to 2 per cent during the Spring Racing Carnival months of October and November.

“In order to minimise the impact of its new pricing policy on smaller, on-course bookmakers, particularly those who only operate in regional areas, Racing Victoria will set a fee of 1 per cent for all turnover below $5 million.

“The Victorian racing industry is widely recognised as an international leader; contributing more than $2 billion to the state economy and supporting more than 70,000 jobs particularly in regional communities.

“The Coalition Government is committed to stimulating further growth across all three racing codes through these legislative initiatives alongside its $79.5 million Victorian Racing Industry Fund,” Dr Napthine said.

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