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Information for a registered bookmaker’s key employee

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GamblingBookmakerEmployee

The VGCCC is committed to working with the gaming industry to help them understand the responsibilities that come with being a registered bookmaker’s key employee. This page is a starting point, but it's up to you to make sure you're aware of all your responsibilities as stated under the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (the Act).

A bookmaker’s key employee is a person who is:

  • employed by a bookmaker in a managerial capacity
  • authorised to make decisions that are relevant to the business operations of a bookmaker
  • employed in any other activity relating to the operations of a bookmaker specified by the Victoria Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation.

Please note: the VGCCC has not specified any other activities at this time.

The duration of a key employee’s registration is up to 10 years, subject to the conditions specified in the registration, and unless cancelled, surrendered or suspended.

Once approval is granted, you will be given a set of directions, which gives you ongoing responsibilities that includes notifying the VGCCC of any changes to your registration.

Registration certificate and identity card

The VGCCC will issue a certificate of registration and an identity card to the registration holder. You must display the identity card at all times while working as a key employee in Victoria.

You must be able to produce your registration certificate and identity card if requested by a member of the police or compliance inspector. Failure to comply may result in a fine.

If you have lost or damaged your registration identity card (ID), you will need to write to the VGCCC to obtain a replacement. In addition, you will need to provide a statutory declaration listing details of how the ID card was lost or damaged.

A statutory declaration can be made at your local police station and then forward document to the VGCCC, GPO Box 1988, Melbourne, VIC 3001.Ensure that you have kept a copy for your records. Once we have received your letter and declaration, a replacement identity card will be sent to you.

Cancellation or suspension of identity card

You must return the certificate of registration and identity card to the VGCCC within 14 days of your registration being cancelled or suspended. The penalty is up to 20 penalty units and/or an on the spot fine of two penalty units.

Interstate conditions

The key employee registration is only valid in Victoria and cannot be used in other states or territories. If you are from another state or territory, you must apply for registration to the VGCCC to be able to work in Victoria in the local racing industry.

Renewal of registration

You will receive a reminder with an application for renewal of your registration three months before it expires.

To ensure you receive this reminder you must advise the VGCCC of any changes to your residential address in writing within 14 days of the change occurring. Failure to notify the VGCCC of any changes may result in prosecution and a fine of 60 penalty units.

Change in circumstance

You must advise the VGCCC within 14 days if a change in circumstances occurs, this includes the commencement of bankruptcy proceedings or debt agreement. Failure to notify could result in disciplinary action being taken against you.
The VGCCC will assess the cause and circumstances of your bankruptcy before deciding if there is a ground for disciplinary action against you. You will be advised in writing and given the opportunity to provide further information within 28 days of the receipt of letter why disciplinary action should not be taken.

Offence to allow a minor to gamble

It is an offence for a registered bookmaker’s key employee to allow a minor to gamble. A breach of this provision is a penalty of 20 penalty units.

Penalties apply

This guide is a starting point, it is your responsibility to make sure you are aware of all your obligations under the Act. If you do not comply, you may be fined or have your registration cancelled or suspended.

Grounds for disciplinary action include:

  • the registration as a bookmaker’s key employee was improperly obtained in that, at the time it was granted, there were grounds for refusing it
  • that the registration holder failed to provide information that the holder is required by the Act or the Racing Act 1958 to provide or has provided information knowing it to be false or misleading
  • that the registration holder has breached the Act, the Racing Act 1958 or a condition of the registration has been convicted or found guilty of a relevant offence
  • that the registration holder is, for any other reason, not a suitable person to be registered as a bookmaker’s key employee.

A relevant offence in relation to a registered bookmaker’s key employee means an:

  • offence against the Racing Act 1958 and regulations under the Act
  • offence (in Victoria or elsewhere) involving fraud or dishonesty
  • indictable offence, or an offence that if committed in Victoria would be an indictable offence.

The VGCCC will advise you in writing if disciplinary action will be taken against you. You will be given an opportunity to provide further information or respond to the disciplinary action within 28 days of the receipt of the letter.

Approval as a substitute bookmaker

A key employee that is registered by the VGCCC can perform the duties of a bookmaker’s substitute, if they have been approved by Racing Victoria Limited, Harness Racing Victoria or Greyhound Racing Victoria.

An approved substitute is responsible for the same duties as a registered bookmaker, and subject to the same disciplinary action.

It is an offence to work as a substitute bookmaker without prior approval, and disciplinary action may be taken against both the key employee and their employer. The breach may be taken into account with any future applications.

Surrender of a key employee’s registration

If you no longer wish to work to be registered as a key employee, you will need to notify the VGCCC in writing. You must return the certificate of registration and identity card along with your notification of resignation within 14 days. Failure to do so may result in a fine.

Appeals to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal

An applicant may appeal the decision of the Commission at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). A person whose interests are affected, may apply to VCAT for review of a decision to:

  • refuse an application for registration as a bookmaker’s key employee
  • impose or amend a condition of a registration as a bookmaker’s key employee
  • refuse to renew a registration as a bookmaker’s key employee
  • take disciplinary action against a registered bookmaker’s key employee
  • suspend the regulation of a bookmaker’s key employee under section 4.5A.14B of the Act.

The appeal must be lodged within 28 days of the Commission’s decision:

  • the day of which the decision is made
  • if, under the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998 the person requests a statement of reasons for the decision, the day on which the statement of reasons is given or the person is informed that a statement of reasons will not be given.