Bookmakers (and employee) application process and requirements

Important notice for applicants

Individuals applying to be registered as a bookmaker or as a nominee for a corporate registered bookmaker are required to apply to Victoria Police for a 'National name check' National Police Certificate.

Finger and palm prints are not required. The VCGLR is currently updating the GIE application forms on this website to indicate this change.

Select the right application form

• Individuals applying to be registered as a bookmaker complete the Bookmaker's registration as a sole trader form (PDF, 946.63 KB).
• *Bookmaker's Registered - Corporation (PDF, 2.5 MB) 
• *Bookmaking Partnership (PDF, 653.1 KB) 
• *Bookmaker key employee (PDF, 596.38 KB)

Nominees

If a corporation is approved as a registered bookmaker, the corporation must nominate a person to act as a nominee. To apply, complete the Registered bookmaker - approval as a nominee of a corporation application form (PDF, 635.42 KB).

Associates

• Corporate associates of a registered bookmaker are required to complete the application form - Registered bookmaker - approval as an associated entity (online). Only use this form if the applying entity has only individuals as associates. If the applicant entity is a trustee of a trust or has other entities (companies) as associates in addition to individuals please print and submit the PDF version (PDF, 985.54 KB).
• Bookmakers - associated individual (online) - If applying as part of another application for a new or renewal of a Bookmakers licence, or as part of an Associated Entity application, please use the form – Bookmaker Registration - associated Individual  (PDF, 769.41 KB).

For further information about how to register as a bookmaker, see Frequently Asked Questions - Bookmakers.

If you would like a copy of any of these documents in a more accessible format, contact us.

*Note: these forms require Adobe Reader to complete electronically. Download a current and free version from Adobe here. To save your progress when completing this form, download the document to your device before commencing. If you wish to print forms and complete them by hand, please use Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge or Firefox browsers only to do so.

You must also obtain a club bookmaker's licence from the relevant racing industry controlling body such as Racing Victoria Limited, Harness Racing Victoria or Greyhound Racing Victoria.

Licences provide the authority for bookmakers to field at race meetings of each racing code and in some cases, to conduct 24-hour trading at racecourses. The contact details in relation to club bookmaker's licence applications are listed below:

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and must not have been convicted of a 'relevant offence' in the last 10 years.

A relevant offence is:

• an offence against the Racing Act 1958, a gaming act, or regulations
• an offence involving fraud or dishonesty punishable by imprisonment for three months or more
• an indictable offence, or an offence that, if committed in Victoria would be an indictable offence.

To register as a bookmaker's key employee, you will need to complete the Request for approval for registration as a bookmaker's key employee (new or renewal) application (PDF, 596.38 KB). This form includes information about the application process and relevant documentation that needs to be included in the application.

For information about how to register as a bookmaker's key employee, download the Frequently asked questions - Bookmaker's key employee (PDF, 325.24 KB).

If you would like a copy of these documents in a more accessible format, contact us.

To use the self-service portal you must have your email address registered with the VCGLR. If you have not registered your email address, contact us.

To update your email address online, you will need your user ID and password. The user ID is your bookmaker's key employee registration number, followed by '/GIE'. For example, if your registration number is BK1234567, then your user ID is BK1234567/GIE.