Victoria to ban betting on minors in sport

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission has ordered a ban on betting on all under-19 sports competitions or on the performance of individual players who are under 18.

The ban extends to open events where minors are playing, so a bet can be placed on the open event ‘team’, but not on particular outcomes for players who are under 18.

The VGCCC stated in letters it sent to bodies controlling all major sports and to sports betting providers that it has “determined that permitting betting on minors is contrary to the public interest and poses potential integrity and gambling related harm concerns”.

“The idea that it is okay to bet on minors just doesn’t stand up. We think minors deserve to be protected,” said VGCCC chair Fran Thorn. “It also raises integrity issues, with the prospect of people attempting to influence how minors might behave playing sport.

“If sports controlling bodies and betting providers do not comply with this decision we will take action, which may include revoking our approval of sports controlling bodies and prosecuting betting providers.”