Fundraising event

What are considered illegal games?

The Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (the Act) prohibits the following games or similar games from being played anywhere other than in a licensed casino and declares them to be unlawful:

fan-tan
Two-up
hazard
baccarat
dinah-minah or minah-dinah
faro
roulette
skill-ball, or
any game, where the players play or bet against a banker (such as Blackjack or Pontoon).

The only other time the games can be played is when a valid minor gaming permit is in place.

Can anyone conduct a fundraising event?

A fundraising event can only be conducted by organisations that have been declared as community or charitable organisations, by the VGCCC.

What does 'declared' mean?

An organisation is "declared" when the VGCCC has assessed and approved it to be a community or charitable organisation.

If your organisation has been approved, the VGCCC will advise you in writing and provide you with a declaration number.

To obtain approval, an organisation must demonstrate that it conducts itself in good faith and exists for a charitable, sporting or recreational purpose, or is a registered political party.

Download the application form, Declaration as a community or charitable organisation.

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Permits

When is a minor gaming permit required?

Any organisation wanting to have a fundraising event must hold a current minor gaming permit. Refer to Application for minor gaming permit. Permits will be issued for a specific event.

How long does the permit last for?

The permit is in force for the period of the gaming activity.

Application process

What is the application fee for a minor gaming permit?

For information about application fees, download the Gambling fees and fines.

How long does the application process take?

The legislation states that applications should be lodged no less than 21 days before the gaming activity is to be carried out. Once lodged the application is processed within 21 days. However, the time required to issue a permit depends on whether the organisation is declared by the Commission (see above).

If your organisation is not declared then it your application may take longer. If you do not have 21 days, contact us.

What is required if there is a change to the fundraising event?

You are required to lodge an amendment to a minor gaming permit application form explaining any changes. Ensure that all correct documents have been included to ensure that the application is processed promptly.

Who is responsible for the event?

When applying for a minor gaming permit, your organisation needs to nominate a person over 18 years of age, who must be approved by the VGCCC.

This person is called the nominee. The nominee is responsible for ensuring that any minor gaming activity which is run under the permit is conducted in accordance with the rules and conditions.

Having a nominee does not exempt your organisation from any legal action if there is a breach of the minor gaming permit conditions. If the nominee resigns, is dismissed, or leaves your organisation, you must nominate another person to be responsible for the minor gaming permit and notify the VGCCC within seven days.

If a minor gaming permit holder does not have an approved nominee, the directors or members of the committee of management of the permit holder (as the case requires) are all separately responsible and liable under the Act as permit holder.

Conditions

What are the conditions of the permit?

In order to conduct a fundraising event, there are certain conditions attached to the minor gaming permit:

The permit and conditions must be on display at the principal entrance to the premises.
The event may only take place within the premises and on the date indicated in the permit.
The games, which may be played at the event are those indicated in the permit.
The games must be played as detailed in the attached "rules of the game".
The authorised nominee must act as supervisor at the event. The supervisor's duties are to ensure that all games are played as per the attached "rules of the game" and to determine any disputes by players at the event.
Games must only be played using "play" money allocated to players.
Each player must be allocated "play" money converted at the same dollar value as all other players.
Chips or tokens used in any games must only be purchased with "play" money.
"Play" money, chips or tokens must not be converted into cash, or be awarded as a prize.
No prizes can be awarded as a result of participation in the illegal games, which are authorised under this permit to be played at the fundraising event.
Where the event allows for players to bid for auction items using "play" money, the items must not include money, except where the money is part of an item, which includes travel, accommodation or both and where the value of the money assigned does not exceed 10 per cent of the total value of the item.
The holder of the permit must within 28 days after the event send to the VGCCC a statement of account detailing all the receipts and expenditure relating to the event.

Can the conditions be altered?

Yes. You must get the VGCCC's approval if you wish to change any of the conditions of the minor gaming permit, e.g. a change of the date on which the fundraising event will be conducted, (other than conditions, which are explained in the Act and in the above question, which cannot be changed).

You cannot start the changes until they have been approved.

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