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A fundraising event is a function conducted by a community or charitable organisation to raise money through the playing of casino-type games. Information about these events is found here.
Entry to the function would normally entitle a person to obtain ‘play’ money or chips to participate in the games. At the end of the function, the ‘play’ money or chips cannot be converted into cash.
The rules for conducting community and charitable gaming are in the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 and the Gambling Regulation Regulations 2005.
The Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (the Act) prohibits the following games or similar games from being played anywhere other than in a licensed casino and declares them to be unlawful:
The only other time the games can be played is when a valid minor gaming permit is in place.
A fundraising event can only be conducted by organisations that have been declared as community or charitable organisations, by the VGCCC.
An organisation is "declared" when the VGCCC has assessed and approved it to be a community or charitable organisation.
If your organisation has been approved, the VGCCC will advise you in writing and provide you with a declaration number.
To obtain approval, an organisation must demonstrate that it conducts itself in good faith and exists for a charitable, sporting or recreational purpose, or is a registered political party.
Download the application form, Declaration as a community or charitable organisation.
Any organisation wanting to have a fundraising event must hold a current minor gaming permit. Refer to Application for minor gaming permit. Permits will be issued for a specific event.
The permit is in force for the period of the gaming activity.
For information about application fees, download the Gambling fees and fines.
The legislation states that applications should be lodged no less than 21 days before the gaming activity is to be carried out. Once lodged the application is processed within 21 days. However, the time required to issue a permit depends on whether the organisation is declared by the Commission (see above).
If your organisation is not declared then it your application may take longer. If you do not have 21 days, contact us.
You are required to lodge an amendment to a minor gaming permit application form explaining any changes. Ensure that all correct documents have been included to ensure that the application is processed promptly.
When applying for a minor gaming permit, your organisation needs to nominate a person over 18 years of age, who must be approved by the VGCCC.
This person is called the nominee. The nominee is responsible for ensuring that any minor gaming activity which is run under the permit is conducted in accordance with the rules and conditions.
Having a nominee does not exempt your organisation from any legal action if there is a breach of the minor gaming permit conditions. If the nominee resigns, is dismissed, or leaves your organisation, you must nominate another person to be responsible for the minor gaming permit and notify the VGCCC within seven days.
If a minor gaming permit holder does not have an approved nominee, the directors or members of the committee of management of the permit holder (as the case requires) are all separately responsible and liable under the Act as permit holder.
In order to conduct a fundraising event, there are certain conditions attached to the minor gaming permit:
Yes. You must get the VGCCC's approval if you wish to change any of the conditions of the minor gaming permit, e.g. a change of the date on which the fundraising event will be conducted, (other than conditions, which are explained in the Act and in the above question, which cannot be changed).
You cannot start the changes until they have been approved.
