The state of Victoria, located in Australia, has implemented a prohibition on wagering on all athletic contests for individuals under the age of nineteen. This restriction encompasses placing bets on individual competitors under the age of eighteen, even in senior competitions. Nevertheless, placing bets on team outcomes remains permissible when underage participants are involved in senior events.
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) asserts that this ban is essential to safeguard the integrity of sports and mitigate the detrimental effects of gambling. They have provided sports organizations and betting operators a period of sixty days to adhere to these newly established regulations.
The Victorian Gaming and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) expressed worries about the susceptibility of young people to attempts to compromise the honesty of events and the normalization of gambling involving children.
VGCCC Chair Fran Thorn declared: “The notion of minors engaging in gambling is unacceptable.” “We believe that young people should be shielded. This also raises issues of integrity, as someone might try to influence the actions of minors in sports.”
Thorn added that sports governing bodies and betting providers that fail to adhere to regulations will face the loss of their permits to operate sports in the state or legal action.
“The VGCCC believes that wagering on minor events related to the individual performance of minors in sporting events is against the public interest.”
Victoria is undergoing significant poker machine changes.
This prohibition follows Victoria’s announcement of new reforms last month aimed at mitigating the negative effects of electronic gaming machines.
The reforms, proposed by Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Gaming, Liquor and Racing Melissa Horne, are still pending final approval.
The reforms include mandatory pre-commitment limits, identity verification through card gaming, lower top-up limits, venue curfews between 4 am and 10 am, and slower spin speeds.
Andrews stated at the time that the reforms provided Australia with the strongest gambling harm prevention and anti-money laundering measures.
These reforms were initiated by a Royal Commission.
The Crown Melbourne’s improper behavior triggered a Royal Commission investigation, which resulted in the announcement of changes.
The inquiry in April 2022 determined that the casino was ineligible to possess a license in the state. The inquiry also discovered that the casino participated in “unlawful, deceitful, unethical, and exploitative” actions.
After the investigation, the government established the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission to oversee gambling within the state.
The Victorian 2023 budget allocated A$71 million to support the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission in assuming a more significant role in mitigating gambling-related harm. In this instance, it will assume most of the responsibilities of the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation. This transition will become effective on July 1, 2024.
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