Internet betting

Betting Control Regulations 74, 75 and 76

Internet betting has been established as an extension of normal bookmaker activities and as an authorised activity by licence endorsement. In accordance with the Commonwealth Government’s Interactive Gambling Act 2001, internet betting may be conducted on racing events and on sports events prior to the commencement of the sporting event.

The general requirement in Western Australia is that all bookmakers must operate from a racecourse. Therefore, not only is a bookmaker’s licence required from the Gaming and Wagering Commission, authorisation from the authority controlling the racecourse at which you intend operating from and where all internet bets must be received is also required. It is a requirement that the server hosting your software that receives all bets in respect to internet betting must be located on the racecourse you intend operating from.

Legislative and operational requirements for the conduct of an internet betting operation

1. There are a number of pieces of Commonwealth legislation, and codes of conduct developed pursuant to legislation, which impact on the conduct of internet betting. Some of these include:
   • Interactive Gambling Act 2001
   • Privacy Act 1988
   • Financial Transactions Act 1988
   • Broadcasting Services Act 1999
   • Electronic Transactions Act 1999
   The rules governing the use of the internet as a business tool are constantly being reviewed, updated and expanded. It is the responsibility of the bookmaker to ensure that all statutory obligations are observed.
2. Any internet betting system shall be developed in accordance with the commission’s specifications.
3. An internet betting system shall not be used unless its configuration and output has been audited and approved by the commission.
4. An approved internet betting system shall not be modified or changed unless consent for the specific modification of change is obtained from the commission.
5. Any internet betting using an approved internet betting system shall be conducted in accordance with any further conditions that are imposed by the commission. Any additional conditions shall be endorsed on your bookmaker’s licence.
6. Any internet bet using an approved internet bet system shall be confirmed in the following manner:
   • The details of a bet requested by a client are to be transmitted back to the client for acceptance.
   • Once the client acknowledges acceptance, a printable screen confirmation message is to be sent to the client. At this point the client’s account may be debited.
   • Duplication of the bet confirmation is to automatically be sent to and stored at a control site (usually the Stewards). This can be by e-mail or electronic message.
7. Where an internet bet is not confirmed in the manner and time approved by the commission, that transaction does not constitute a valid bet.
8. An internet betting ticket may be written in such a form and is to be delivered in a manner approved by the commission.
9. The details of all internet bets received are to be separately recorded in a format approved by the commission under regulation 37 of the Betting Control Regulations 1978.
10. If you intend conducting internet betting on racing events the following applies:
    • If the bet is on a race being conducted at another race meeting in the State, you require the consent of the committee or controlling authority of the race meeting; and
    • No minimum bet limit restrictions apply.

Application requirements

When lodging an application for authorisation to conduct telephone betting on sports or racing events the following information is to accompany the application: