Publish or use WA Race Fields

Section 27D of the Betting Control Act 1954, makes it an offence for a person providing a wagering service in Western Australia or elsewhere, to publish or otherwise use Western Australian race fields without obtaining the pre-requisite approval.

Purpose of the publish/use Western Australian Race Fields form

To protect the integrity of the Western Australian racing industry, the detail contained in the Publish/Use Western Australian Race Fields form provides the Minister for Racing and Gaming (or delegate) with information to assess the character and integrity of a person/entity seeking approval to publish/use Western Australian race fields.

In addition to the information provided, a primary consideration in making such determinations by the Minister will also be whether the issue of an approval will be in the public interest.

An approval given by the Minister (or delegate) does not give automatic right to wagering service providers to publish/use Western Australian race field information. As a condition of an approval, wagering service providers approved must enter into a commercial arrangement with Racing and Wagering Western Australia (the controlling authority) before obtaining Western Australian race field information.

Who is required to complete the publish/use Western Australian Race Fields form

Australian based betting operators who engage in or conduct betting on Western Australian races are authorised to publish/use Western Australian race fields, subject to:

1. Payment of a racing bets levy to the Gaming and Wagering Commission; and
2. Wagering operators complying with prescribed information requirements in relation to matters concerning the integrity and reputation of the racing industry.

An offshore operator will need to apply for approval to use or publish WA Race Fields.  Approved offshore operators will also be required to lodge the prescribed returns and make payment of a racing bets levy to the Gaming and Wagering Commission.

The Publish/Use Western Australian Race Fields form consists of Part A and Part B.

Part A relates to the wagering operations of the entity whereas Part B relates to personal particulars of individuals. Both Parts are required to be completed and lodged in order to be considered under section 27D of the Betting Control Act 1954.

Part B must be completed by all persons with an interest in a wagering licence, in the case of a body corporate or partnership; that is, a director, office bearer or person in a position of authority in a body corporate, or each member of a partnership.

Application fees

Part A

The purpose of Part A is to obtain details relating to the operations and integrity of the wagering service provider seeking to publish/use Western Australian race field information. The following briefly explains the requirements of each section of Part A.

1. Details of entity seeking to publish/use Western Australian Race Fields

Identifies the wagering service provider seeking to publish/use Western Australian race fields and aims at identifying the wagering operations and governing controls of the jurisdiction(s) where the wagering service provider is permitted to offer a wagering service.

Details are to be provided relating to:

• the name of the entity, for example ABC Pty Ltd trading as 123 Bookmaking;
• the type of wagering operation undertaken, for example on-course bookmaker, off-course totalisator operator, betting exchange;
• jurisdiction(s) where wagering operation is licensed and licence number(s);
• organisation structure (refer to the Instructions/Obligations section of this guide for further information);
• licence conditions such as internet/telephone and other endorsements, wagering restrictions, approvals to publish/use race field information of another jurisdiction(s); and
• governing legislation with respect to the supervision and control of wagering activities.

2. Compliance

To confirm that the operation of the wagering service provider has effective controls in place to prevent under-age wagering and detect suspect wagering transactions, details in relation to the processes in place are to be provided, having particular regard to the requirements of the Financial Transaction Reports Act 1988 (Cth) in relation to these matters.

In addition to this particular requirement, it is encouraged that any further detail in relation to the internal controls of the wagering service provider’s wagering operation be included.

3. Integrity

This section establishes the integrity of the wagering service provider as a participant in the racing industry and requires the wagering service provider(where a body corporate or partnership) to identify any recorded convictions or charges pending. In the case of a sole trader sections 2 and 3 of Part B are required to be completed.

4. Use of Western Australian Race Fields

This section requires the wagering service provider to detail all wagering types or services intended to be offered/facilitated by publishing/using Western Australian race fields.

If the wagering operation offers/facilitates 'betting to lose' as a bet type, which also includes field verus favourite and spread betting on the poor performance of a runner, full details of the bet type(s) must be provided.

The detail provided in relation to this section will be integral in assessing wagering operations.

5. Declaration

In order for consideration by the Minister (or delegate), the declaration must be signed by the person completing the documentation. Documents will not be considered unless signed and dated.

Part B

Part B is required to be completed by sole traders and any person who has an interest in a wagering operation seeking to publish/use Western Australian race fields. The detail required in this Part relates to the character and integrity of individuals.The following briefly explains the requirements of each section of Part B.

1. Personal particulars

Identifies individuals with interests in wagering operations seeking to publish/use Western Australian race field information. Sole traders who have completed section 1 of Part A do not need to complete this section and can go directly to section 2 Integrity.

2. Integrity

This section establishes the integrity of individuals who have an interest in particular wagering operations. In this regard, the following details will need to be provided:

• ownership of Western Australian racing animals;
• all breaches/charges incurred within the racing industry;
• all civil convictions incurred; and
• any convictions where a person completing Section 4 was a director or held a position of authority in a company convicted under any legislation in Australia.

3. Declaration

In order for consideration by the Minister (or delegate), the declaration must be signed and dated by the person completing the documentation.

Application requirements

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