BETTING CONTROL REGULATIONS 1978 - NOTES

BETTING CONTROL REGULATIONS 1978 - NOTES

Appendix

Rules of Betting

[Heading inserted: Gazette 14 Sep 1990 p. 4864.]

Part 1 — Betting under the rules of racing

[Heading inserted: Gazette 21 Jul 1998 p. 3856.]

1. Terms used

(1) In these rules, unless the contrary intention appears —

all up bet means a bet in which the original stake and any subsequent winnings are wagered on the runners named until the contract is completed;

barrier includes starting box or starting gate;

betting sheet means the written record of a bookmaker’s bets on the several runners in a race as required by the Act and regulations;

committee means the committee of the racing club holding the race meeting;

double means a bet on the contingency of 2 races;

objection includes protest;

play or pay used in relation to a bet, means a bet that holds good whether the runner to which the bet relates runs in the race in respect of which the bet is made or not;

Scale of Deduction Table means the Table set out at the end of these rules;

treble means a bet on the contingency of 3 races;

walk‑over used in relation to a race, means a race in which only one runner starts.

(2) For the purpose of these rules a runner shall be deemed to run in a race if that runner is ordered by the starter to take its place at the barrier or has been semaphored as a starter, whether or not that runner subsequently takes any part in the race, unless in a particular case the stewards declare the runner not to be a starter in the race.

[Rule 1 amended: Gazette 21 Jul 1998 p. 3855 and 3856; 30 Jan 2004 p. 406.]

2. Bets void in certain circumstances

(1) A bet is void —

(a) if, when it is made, it is not possible for the backer to win; or

(b) if, being made on a match or private sweepstake between 2 runners those runners after the bet is made, become the property of the same person or of a person who admits that he or she is, or is proven to be, the servant or agent of, or to be acting in collusion with, the first‑mentioned person; or

(c) if it is made on a runner in running; or

(d) unless the parties to the bet agree to the contrary, if, being made in respect of particular runners neither of those runners wins the race to which the bet relates; or

(e) if, being made on a match between 2 runners the match results in a dead heat; or

(f) if it is made after the determination of the race to which it relates; or

(g) if it is so declared by the rules of racing or wagering; or

(h) if it is declared to be void by the Commission pursuant to subrule (2); or

(i) if it becomes void in the manner provided in rule 12.

(2) The Commission may investigate, in such a manner as it thinks fit, any allegation of fraud or corrupt practice in relation to a bet or a race to which a bet relates, and may declare that bet, or all or any bets made in respect of that race, to be void.

[Rule 2 amended: Gazette 21 Jul 1998 p. 3855 and 3856; 18 Jan 2002 p. 284; 20 Sep 2002 p. 4704; 30 Jan 2004 p. 406 and 412.]

3. When bets are off

(1) No bet can be declared off except by mutual consent or as hereinafter provided, that is to say —

(a) either the backer or the bookmaker may demand bets to be confirmed before the race is run, upon proving to the committee or the stewards that he or she has just cause for so doing; if and when ordered by the committee or the stewards the bets shall be covered or sufficient security given in default of which the bets will be off;

(b) in the event of a race being divided, all bets made on the race at fixed prices before the announcement that the race is divided are off;

(c) all wagers with any person who after the making of the wagers has been declared a defaulter, are off;

(d) a fixed price bet (not being a double, or a bet on the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Sydney Cup, Perth Cup or Railway Stakes, or such other race as the Commission may declare to be a race to which this paragraph relates) that is laid on the day on which the race meeting is held is off if the runner on which the bet is laid does not run in the race to which the bet relates.

[(1a)-(3) deleted]

[Rule 3 amended: Gazette 21 Jul 1998 p. 3855; 20 Sep 2002 p. 4704; 30 Jan 2004 p. 407‑8 and 412; 4 Jan 2013 p. 11.]

4A. Determination of bets where runner withdrawn

(1) In this rule —

bet means a bet, other than a play or pay bet, made on the day of a race that is —

(a) a win bet or a place bet; or

(b) a bet where the person making the bet selects a combination of 2 runners in the same race on the chance that they will be first and second in that race, irrespective of the order in which they finish (known as a “quinella bet”); or

(c) a concession bet; or

(d) a double;

late scratched runner, in relation to a race, means —

(a) a runner that the stewards order or permit to be withdrawn from the race after the time for withdrawal has elapsed; or

(b) a runner that the stewards have declared to be a non‑starter;

odds, against a runner winning a race, means —

(a) subject to paragraph (b), the odds against the runner on offer at the time, and at the place, the race is being run; or

(b) if the stewards are satisfied that the odds against the runner on offer at the time, and at the place, where the race is being run cannot be accurately determined in a timely manner, the odds determined by the stewards in a manner approved by RWWA;

percentage, for a runner in a race, means the odds against the runner winning the race, expressed as a percentage;

sum percentage, for runners in a race, means the sum of the percentages for the runners.

(2) If, in relation to a race, there is a late scratched runner, a bookmaker must —

(a) refund all bets on the late scratched runner and those bets are, by operation of this rule, declared off;

(b) subject to subrule (5), pay bets on the runners calculated in accordance with the following formula —

where —

b is the bets to be paid;

t is the face value of the ticket;

d is the deduction declared by the stewards under subrule (3) or (4).

(3) The stewards may —

(a) if the sum percentage of runners is less than or equal to 140%, declare a deduction for the purposes of subrule (2)(b) calculated in accordance with the following formula —

where —

s is the sum percentage of remaining runners;

≈ means “as close as possible to”;

sa is the sum percentage of remaining runners and late scratched runners,

with the deductions applied to each remaining runner being proportional to the odds against that runner;

(b) if the sum percentage of runners is greater than 140%, declare a deduction for the purposes of subrule (2)(b) calculated in accordance with the following formula —

where —

s is the sum percentage of remaining runners;

≈ means “as close as possible to”;

sa is the sum percentage of remaining runners and late scratched runners;

d is calculated in accordance with the following formula —

with the deductions applied to each remaining runner being proportional to the odds against that runner.

(4) Where it is not possible for the stewards to declare a deduction in accordance with subrule (3) the stewards may declare a deduction for the purposes of subrule (2)(b) in accordance with the Scale of Deduction Table.

(5) The amount paid in relation to a bet must —

(a) subject to paragraph (b) —

(i) be at least the amount of the stake; and

(ii) be at least 20% of the face value of the ticket;

and

(b) in the case of a dead‑heat for a particular place, be at least the amount of the stake divided by the number of runners participating in the dead‑heat.

(6) A bookmaker is not required to settle any bet affected by the operation of this rule until all late scratched runners and the amount of any deduction declared under subrule (3) or (4) are known, despite —

(a) the declaration of correct weight for the race; or

(b) any rule or regulation to the contrary,

unless the bookmaker is specifically directed to do so by the stewards.

(7) Despite this rule, the stewards may, in exceptional circumstances, declare all bets (other than bets made at the starting price) off and order that betting on the race be re‑opened.

[Rule 4A inserted: Gazette 4 Jan 2013 p. 11-13.]

4. Determination and settlement of bets

(1) Bets shall go to the backers of the runners placed by the judge, but if a protest or objection is entered in accordance with the rules of racing before the “Correct Weight” or “All Clear” signal has been given bets are governed by the stewards decision on the objection, except that where a runner or, if the runner is a horse, the rider or driver is disqualified, and there are circumstances in connection therewith which in the opinion of the stewards require further investigation the stewards may forthwith make an order postponing the settlement of all bets on such race pending completion of their enquiries.

(2) Settlement of bets shall be made in accordance with the provisions of these rules.

(3) A person to whom a betting ticket is issued by a bookmaker shall be deemed to have accepted the ticket issued to him or her and to have agreed that the particulars shown thereon are correct, unless he or she applies forthwith after the issue of the ticket to the person who issued it to have any error on or omission from the ticket rectified.

(4) Bets on a designated sporting event shall be determined on the official results as declared by the controlling authority responsible for conducting the designated sporting event.

[Rule 4 amended: Gazette 21 Jul 1998 p 3856 and 3857; 18 Jan 2002 p. 284; 20 Sep 2002 p. 4704; 30 Jan 2004 p. 408.]

5. Bets in respect of postponed race or race meeting

If a race meeting, or a race at a race meeting, is postponed from one day to another, all bets thereon made on that race or race meeting on the day of the postponement but before the postponement is announced are off.

6. Each way bets

(1) Subject to subrule (2) place betting whether or not as part of an each way bet shall be in accordance with the conditions relating to totalisator place betting on the racecourse on which the race is run.

(2) The place bet whether or not comprised in an each way bet shall be settled as provided by subrule (4) on the first, second and third runner where there are 8 or more runners, and on the first and second runner where there are 5, 6 or 7 runners, in the race.

(3) For the purposes of subrule (2) the number of runners in a race is —

(a) where the bet is made on any day prior to the day of the race, the greatest number that is in the race on the day the bet is made; and

(b) where the bet is made on the day of the race, the actual number that is taken as starting, under the conditions governing the place totalisator.

(4) A winning place bet other than as part of an each way bet shall be settled at the odds given by the bookmaker and a winning place bet comprised in an each way bet shall be settled —

(a) where there are 8 or more runners in the race, at one‑fourth of the odds for a win; and

(b) where there are 5, 6 or 7 runners in the race, at one‑third of the odds for a win.

[Rule 6 amended: Gazette 14 Sep 1990 p. 4864; 21 Jul 1998 p. 3855 and 3856.]

7. All bets to be “play or pay” except in certain circumstances

All bets shall be play or pay, unless the parties thereto mutually agree to the contrary, with the following exceptions —

(a) bets made on the day of the race to which they relate; and

(b) bets on matches; and

(c) bets made after the running numbers are officially placed on the number‑‑board, in relation to a runner that is not subsequently under the starter’s orders; and

(d) bets that are declared off by the stewards; and

(e) bets on a walk‑over; and

(f) bets made at starting price.

[Rule 7 amended: Gazette 21 Jul 1998 p. 3855.]

8. Provisions as to settlement of bets following dead heat

(1) In the event of a dead heat for first place, or, in place betting, where any of the runners to which a bet relates runs a dead heat for second or third place, as the case may be, any bet in respect of a runner involved in the dead heat shall be determined in the following manner —

(a) half of the amount wagered shall be regarded as “won” at the agreed odds; and

(b) half of the amount wagered shall be lost.

(2) If bets are made on the result of a photo finish and before the numbers of the placed runners are exhibited and a dead heat is declared for first place, all such bets shall be void.

(3) If a bet is made runner against runner, one to win, and one of the runners runs a dead heat for first place, the bet shall be determined in the following manner —

(a) half of the amount wagered shall be regarded as “won” at the agreed odds; and

(b) half of the amount wagered shall be lost.

(4) If runners are backed to run first and second and the runners so backed run a dead heat for first place, or if the runner backed to run first wins the race and the runner backed to run second dead heats for second place with another runner, any bet in respect of a runner involved in the dead heat shall be determined in the following manner —

(a) half of the amount wagered shall be regarded as “won” at the agreed odds; and

(b) half of the amount wagered shall be lost.

(5) Where a designated sporting event results in a tie, draw or dead heat, and odds are offered for that tie, draw or dead heat, any bet for a win is lost.

(6) If no odds are offered for a tie, draw or dead heat and the designated sporting event results in a tie, draw or dead heat, then any bet for a win shall be determined in the following manner —

(a) half of the amount wagered shall be regarded as “won” at the agreed odds; and

(b) half of the amount wagered shall be lost.

[Rule 8 amended: Gazette 21 Jul 1998 p. 3855, 3856 and 3857.]

9. Doubles

(1) The provisions of this rule do not apply to bets known as multiple doubles.

(2) Double event bets (not being multiple doubles) shall be considered play or pay, except when otherwise agreed when the bets are made, or unless otherwise by these rules provided.

(3) Doubles (not being multiple doubles) are subject to the following conditions, namely —

(a) bets are determined when the first event is lost;

(b) if either event is decided in the backer’s favour and the other results in a dead heat between 2 runners one of which was backed by the backer, the bookmaker shall pay to the backer one‑half of the proceeds of the bet which would have been payable if each event had been won outright by the runner backed by the backer in the double, and if the dead heat is between more than 2 runners the amount payable by the bookmaker to the backer shall be calculated on a proportionate basis;

(c) if both runners backed run dead heats the bookmaker shall pay to the backer one‑quarter of the proceeds of the bet which would have been payable if each event had been won outright by the runner backed by the backer in the double;

(d) if the runner backed for the first event wins and the runner backed for the second event does not start, the bet shall be play or pay unless otherwise agreed at the time the bet is made or otherwise provided for in these rules;

(e) in the case of bets made on the course on the day of the race upon which both events are run, then those bets shall be void if the first event is divided after the bet is made, but if the runner backed for one event wins and the runner backed for the other event does not come under the starter’s orders, such bets shall be paid at the totalisator odds of the winner subject to a limit of 25‑1 at race meetings in the metropolitan area and Goldfields annual round, and 15‑1 at race meetings in Western Australia other than these;

(f) for the purpose of this rule, any runner in respect of which bets have been declared off by the stewards pursuant to rule 3 shall be deemed not to have come under the starter’s orders;

(g) if the bet is made before the day of the first race and either of the runners backed is scratched on or before the day when the bet is made, the money wagered shall be returned to the backer, but otherwise the bet is play or pay;

(h) where the double is on races not run on the same day bets made on the day of the first race are void if —

(i) the runner chosen for the first race does not run in that race;

(ii) the runner chosen for the second race is scratched not later than the time of scratching for the first race;

(iii) the runner chosen for the first race wins and the runner chosen for the second race does not run in that race.

(4) If a race is divided under the provisions of the rules of racing, all doubles bets (not being multiple doubles) made before the announcement that either race is to be divided stand, but the backer shall receive one‑half, or (if both races are divided) one‑quarter of the amount that would have been payable to the backer if the race had not been divided.

[Rule 9 amended: Gazette 21 Jul 1998 p. 3855 and 3856; 30 Jan 2004 p. 408.]

10. Multiple doubles

(1) The following provisions apply to bets of the kind commonly known as multiple doubles, namely —

(a) bets are determined when a race to which the double relates is lost; and

(b) if either of the runners selected is scratched, the bet shall be determined according to the regulations or the rules of wagering or if there are no regulations or rules applicable then the stewards shall determine the manner in which the bet shall be settled; and

(c) if both runners selected do not run in the race, the bet is void; and

(d) if the bet is made in respect of runners entered for more races than one to be run on the same day, the bookmaker shall write or otherwise clearly indicate on the ticket the names of the races selected by the backer of the runners.

(2) For the purposes of these rules and the regulations, the expression multiple double means a double on 2 races scheduled at the time the bet is made to be run on the same day.

[Rule 10 amended: Gazette 21 Jul 1998 p. 3856; 30 Jan 2004 p. 408.]

11. “All up” bets

(1) “All up” bets will be declared “on” only in the order written.

(2) In the event of a race being run late or a meeting postponed the bet will be “on” in the order written.

(3) In “all up” bets “each way” the money will each time be equally divided unless otherwise specified.

(4) An “all up” bet contract must be fulfilled.

12. Provisions as to races that are re‑run

In the event of a race being ordered to be re‑run the same day, all bets in favour of any runner which started on the first run shall stand, except that in special circumstances the stewards may make such other ruling as they think fit.

[Rule 12 amended: Gazette 21 Jul 1998 p 3855.]

13. Provisions as to bets on runners that are entered for 2 or more races on same day

(1) If a person desires to back at starting price a runner that is entered for more races than one to be run on the same day, the bet, unless otherwise specified on the betting ticket, refers to the first race in which the runner starts, and, if that race is a walk‑over, no bet is made.

(2) The provisions of subrule (1) shall not apply to “all up” bets, which shall be settled in accordance with rule 11.

(3) If a person backs at a fixed price a runner that is entered for more races than one to be run on the same day, the bookmaker shall write or otherwise clearly indicate on the betting ticket the race selected by the backer.

(4) Where a person backs a runner that is entered at more race meetings than one on any day, the bet, unless otherwise specified, applies to the race meeting at which the runner starts on that day.

[Rule 13 amended: Gazette 21 Jul 1998 p. 3855.]

14. Prohibition on betting after race

(1) No bet shall be made after a race on or in anticipation of the result of a photograph unless such form of betting is expressly permitted by the rules of racing.

(2) A bet made on a runner after a race in which the judge calls for a photograph to decide the result shall be determined by the hoisting of the numbers in the semaphore (or alternative means of the declaration of the result of the race) and not upon the hoisting of the weight flag.

[Rule 14 amended: Gazette 21 Jul 1998 p. 3855; 30 Jan 2004 p. 408.]

15. Settlement of bets on deaths of parties thereto

The death of either party to a bet shall not invalidate the bet.

16. Settlement of bets on suspension or cancellation of licence of bookmaker

If the licence of a bookmaker is suspended or cancelled, nothing in these rules or in any regulations made under the Act prevents the bookmaker from paying, after the date of the suspension or cancellation of that licence, the betting debts incurred by the bookmaker, subject to such conditions as the Commission may impose in a particular case.

[Rule 16 amended: Gazette 20 Sep 2002 p. 4704; 30 Jan 2004 p. 412.]

17. Settling

Settling in terms of these rules shall not be disturbed except in cases of fraud.

Part 2 — Betting on approved events

[Heading inserted: Gazette 10 Jul 1992 p. 3294; amended: 25 Jan 2019 p. 200.]

1. Bets shall be determined on the official results as declared by the controlling authority responsible for conducting the approved event to which the bets relate.

[Rule 1 inserted: Gazette 10 Jul 1992 p. 3294; amended: 25 Jan 2019 p. 201-2.]

2. Any outcome not covered by these rules shall be determined by the stewards acting at the race meeting where the bet was laid.

[Rule 2 inserted: Gazette 10 Jul 1992 p. 3294.]

[3. Deleted: Gazette 25 Sep 2009 p. 3752.]

4. Where an approved event results in a tie, draw or dead heat, and odds are offered for that tie, draw or dead heat, any bet for a win is lost.

[Rule 4 inserted: Gazette 10 Jul 1992 p. 3294; amended: 25 Jan 2019 p. 201.]

5. If no odds are offered for a tie, draw or dead heat and the event or contingency results in a tie, draw or dead heat between 2 teams or 2 competitors, then, unless the betting on the outcome involves a points margin, any bet for a win shall be determined in the following manner —

(i) half of the amount wagered shall be regarded as “won” at the agreed odds; and

(ii) half of the amount wagered shall be lost.

[Rule 5 inserted: Gazette 10 Jul 1992 p. 3294; amended: Gazette 25 Sep 2009 p. 3752.]

6. In bets involving more than one contingency of, or relating to, the same approved event —

(a) if the first contingency is not decided in the backer’s favour, the bet is lost; and

(b) where the bet covers 2 contingencies and either of those contingencies is decided in the backer’s favour and the other results in a tie, the backer shall receive half the amount receivable had the bet been a winning bet; and

(c) where the bet covers 2 contingencies and both are tied, the backer shall receive one fourth of the amount receivable had the bet been a winning bet; and

(d) where the bet covers 2 or more contingencies and one contingency is decided in the backer’s favour, if the event is subsequently abandoned or if by reason of circumstances not covered by that bet any bet as to any of the other contingencies is not capable of being decided, the backer shall be paid at odds to be determined by the stewards acting at the race meeting where the bet was laid; and

(e) where the bet covers 3 or more contingencies and one or more results in a tie, bets shall be determined by the stewards acting at the meeting where the bet was laid; and

(f) where the bet covers a contingency and by reason of circumstances not covered by the bet it is not capable of being decided, all bets are to be refunded.

[Rule 6 inserted: Gazette 10 Jul 1992 p. 3294; amended: 25 Jan 2019 p. 201-2.]

7. Where an approved event is abandoned, all bets are to be refunded except those laid in respect of contingencies that have been decided totally or in part.

[Rule 7 inserted: Gazette 10 Jul 1992 p. 3295; amended: 25 Jan 2019 p. 201-2.]

8. Where an approved event is postponed to a later date, all bets on the event or contingent on the event shall stand.

[Rule 8 inserted: Gazette 10 Jul 1992 p. 3295; amended: 25 Jan 2019 p. 201-2.]

9. All bets in relation to approved events shall be “play or pay”, unless the parties mutually agree to the contrary.

[Rule 9 inserted: Gazette 10 Jul 1992 p. 3295; amended: Gazette 30 Jan 2004 p. 408‑11; 25 Jan 2019 p. 201-2.]

Scale of Deduction Table

1. The following Table is the Table referred to in rule 4A and is to be used to determine the rate % of deduction in situations where it is not possible for the stewards to declare a deduction in accordance with rule 4A(3). In that case the stewards may declare a deduction for the purposes of rule 4A(2)(b) in accordance with this Scale of Deduction Table. Calculations can be made in respect of win, place, each‑way, concession and doubles wagers. Rate % of deduction (cent in $) from the dividend payable in respect of the wager. (Note: For the purpose of this Table, the win component of an each‑way wager is to be taken as win wager and the place component a place wager.)

2. Generally, the deduction is applied to the face value of a bet made prior to the time it became known that a runner was a late scratched runner.

3. In relation to concession bets, the deduction is applied only —

(a) in respect of a runner that comes first; and

(b) to the amount of winnings payable.

4. With regard to all successful win, place, each‑way, concession and multiple doubles wagers, investors are to be paid the dividend payable in respect of the wager less the number of cents in the dollar deduction applicable on the scale of deductions in the Scale of Deduction Table for the dividends of the runner at the time of its withdrawal.

5. Where 2 or more withdrawals occur simultaneously during wagering, successful wagers made prior to the time of withdrawal are to be paid the dividend payable in respect of the wager, less a deduction determined by adding together the rates of deduction applicable to each of the runners withdrawn.

6. Where withdrawals occur at different times during wagering on a race, successful wagers placed prior to the last withdrawal are to be paid the dividend payable in respect of the wager, less deductions determined as follows —

(a) for wagers placed prior to the first withdrawal, the rate of deduction is to be determined by adding together the rates of deduction applicable to the dividends of all withdrawn runners;

(b) for wagers placed after the time of the first withdrawal — and prior to the time of the second withdrawal — the rate of deduction is to be determined by the deduction applicable on the scale of deductions in the Scale of Deduction Table to the dividends of the second withdrawal.

7. Where the runner ordered or permitted to be withdrawn, or declared a non‑starter, is shorter than the range of dividends set out in the Scale of Deduction Table, the stewards may —

(a) if there is sufficient time, declare all wagers made on the remaining runners to be void and order that wagering on the race be re‑opened; or

(b) if there is insufficient time to re‑open wagering, declare a deduction assessed from the Scale of Deduction Table.

[Scale of Deduction Table amended: Gazette 4 Jan 2013 p. 14-15.]