RACE FIELD LEGISLATION

The regulations of the Racing Legislation Amendment Act (Race Fields Legislation) took effect from July 1 2008.

 

Race Fields Legislation has been introduced to target wagering operators who profit from using NSW racing product without making a contribution to the industry. As of 1 September 2008, it became an offence to publish NSW race fields unless previously authorised to do so by the relevant controlling body.

 

Those operators who continue to publish / use race fields as part of their operations without approval can face heavy penalties with corporations facing $55,000 fines, individuals facing $5,500 fines, or 12 months imprisonment for a first offence.

 

The legislation:

- Prohibits the publication of race fields without approval from the relevant controlling body, which must use set conditions and guidelines in approving applications including a fee of up to 1.5% of wagering turnover for operators licenced in Australia.

- Sets criteria which controlling bodies must follow in assessing any application to publish race fields, with written reasons for the decision to approve or reject an application.

- Enables aggrieved applicants to have a decision reviewed by the minister, and

- Allows the decision of the minister to be reviewed by the administrative decisions tribunal

 

The fee structure applicable to the use of NSW harness race fields is tabled below:

Classification

Jurisdiction

Conditions

Example

Fee

Wagering Operator

Australia

-

TAB, UniTAB, IAS SportsBet, Betfair

1.5% of Wagering Turnover

Wagering Operator

International

-

NZTAB, operators based in Fiji

3.0% of Wagering Turnover

Non-Wagering Operator

Australia

Deriving a commercial benefit from the publication of race fields

A person or company using NSW race fields as part of a statistical analysis program or service for which a subscription fee is charged to other persons for use or access

1.5% of Turnover

Non-Wagering Operator

International

Deriving a commercial benefit from the publication of race fields

As Above

3.0% of Turnover

Non-Wagering Operator

Australia and International

Not deriving a commercial benefit from the publication of NSW race fields

RISE, Internet-based tipping or analysis openly available for no fee.

Nil

No application fee will be payable, however and third party fees or charges involved in processing the application (eg. NSW police checks) will be passed on to the applicant.

For an application form, please click here

For terms and conditions, please click here