The racing bets levy scheme is achieved through the Betting Control Act 1954 and the Racing Bets Levy Act 2009. Betting operators who engage in or conduct betting on Western Australian races are authorised to publish/use Western Australian race fields,
subject to:
- Payment of a racing bets levy to the Gaming and Wagering Commission (‘the Commission’); and
- Betting operators complying with prescribed information requirements in relation to matters concerning the integrity and reputation of the racing industry.
Racing Bets Levy rates
- For turnover up to and including $3 million: 1% of turnover;
After reaching the threshold, the following rates apply
- Pari-mutuel bets placed on standard race meetings 1.5% of turnover.
- Pari-mutuel bets placed on premium race meetings 2.5% of turnover.
- Betting exchange bets placed on standard race meetings 1.5% of turnover.
- Betting exchange bets placed on premium race meetings 2.5% of turnover.
- Non betting exchange fixed odds bets placed on standard race meetings 2% of turnover.
- Non betting exchange fixed odds bets placed on premium race meetings 3% of turnover.
*Aggregate turnover is calculated from 1 August to 31 July each year.
Betting operators whose turnover does not reach $1000 in any month are exempted from the requirement to pay a levy for that month. However,
they are still required to lodge a return for that month.
Premium race meetings
A higher racing bets levy applies across all codes to premium race meetings once a betting operator’s turnover reaches $3 million in a racing year. Premium race meetings are defined in the Regulations on the basis of the value of stake money,
as follows:
- Thoroughbred racing – any meeting containing at least one race with stake money of $100,000.
- Harness racing – any meeting containing at least one race with stake money of $50,000.
- Greyhound racing – any meeting containing at least one race with stake money of $30,000.
Annual return
Under regulation 110 of the Betting Control Regulations 1978, betting operators who use WA race fields as part of their betting operations, are required to submit an independently audited annual return. This return serves to verify the return information provided to the Commission on a monthly basis.
The annual return will cover the period 1 August to 31 July each year. The return must be reviewed and verified by an auditor who is independent to the betting operator (an auditor is an individual qualified to conduct an examination of the records to form an opinion about the authenticity and correctness of such record such as an accountant).
The return must provide the following information for each month:
- Total amount of turnover on racing bets for WA races;
- Total gross revenue on racing bets for WA races; and
- Total amount of racing bet levy paid.
Exemption
Betting operators may apply for an exemption to the requirement to lodge an annual return, if they meet the following criteria:
- If the total turnover for WA races is less than $50,000 per annum; and
- If the total turnover for WA races is less than 10% of the operator’s total annual turnover.
If seeking an exemption, betting operators must provide the following details:
- The total amount of turnover on WA races for the year;
- The percentage of total annual turnover that applies to WA races; and
- The reasons for the exemption request.
A form has been developed for use when lodging an annual return.
Completed forms can be posted to the department at the address below or emailed to rgl@rgl.wa.gov.au