Victoria’s wagering and betting licence has been awarded to Tabcorp for the next 20 years, following a competitive licensing process.
Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Melissa Horne announced the successful applicant today, which authorises Tabcorp to conduct wagering and betting activities in Victoria, including the only authorisation to take bets in-person, outside of Victoria’s racetracks.
The new licence supports robust harm minimisation protection measures to help promote responsible gambling for those who choose to participate in wagering or betting.
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) will closely monitor Tabcorp’s performance, and act as required, to ensure that the Government’s harm minimisation objectives are met.
The Government acknowledges Tabcorp’s commitment to gambling harm minimisation and expects Tabcorp will continue to work with the VGCCC to enhance its systems to allow for more harm minimisation measures to be implemented.
This includes changes to its self-service terminals to ensure that minors do not gamble and real-time reporting of player activity.
The Victorian Government is taking necessary measures to ensure the exclusivity of the Victorian wagering and betting licence before and during the term of the new licence.
This will ensure that the licence continues to serve Victorians, including through a strong regulatory framework that prioritises and delivers the state’s gambling harm minimisation outcomes.
In June 2022 organisations were invited to submit an expression of interest for the wagering and betting licence to show which licence options will provide the most value to the state, with select respondents formally invited to apply in April 2023.
Applications for the new licence were subject to rigorous assessment against several criteria, including corporate and individual probity, harm minimisation and economic benefits to the state.
The 20-year licence term will start on 16 August 2024 immediately after the current licence expires.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Melissa Horne
“The Allan Labor Government is dedicated to reducing the impacts of gambling-related harm, and the new wagering and betting licence sets strong mechanisms for harm minimisation and consumer protection.”
“We support sustainable growth in the Victorian wagering and betting market that has harm minimisation at its core.”
Reviewed 18 December 2023