Victorian punters banned from betting on athletes under 18 even when playing in professional event
Tough new restrictions on sports betting bar local punters from betting on the performance of athletes under 18 even if they are playing in a senior team or professional event.
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Victorian punters will no longer be able to place bets on some of the rising stars of Aussie sport, with tough new restrictions introduced on sports betting.
The change has already affected events, with bookmakers banned from taking bets on Australia’s richest foot race, the Stawell Gift, which has had men’s and women’s winners under the age of 18.
The new rules, which came into effect this week, include a blanket ban on wagering on all sporting matches in under-19 divisions.
Betting on the performance of individuals under 18, even those playing in senior teams and professional events, will also be outlawed.
The move will mean punters cannot bet on tennis young guns or junior soccer talent.
Ian Thorpe entered the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games aged 17, but punters would be barred from betting on his performance under the new rules.
Jelena Dokic competed in the Wimbledon championships in 1999, beating Martina Hingis, at age 16.
Tennis star Boris Becker won Wimbledon aged 17 in 1985, which Victorians would now be barred from betting on.
Socceroos legend Harry Kewell was just 17 when he debuted for the national team, while Mary Fowler was 15 when she earned her first cap for the Matildas.
The Herald Sun confirmed the ban would cover all major events including the Australian Open, the Boxing Day Test, AFL matches and swimming events, as well as local sporting events and teams.
Anti-gambling campaigner Tim Costello praised the new rules.
“I welcome this, this is a long overdue reform,” he said.
“The only real job for all adults is to protect minors.”
The regulations will affect all bookmakers in Victoria and come ahead of the Paris Olympics.
Punters will be able to bet on senior teams that include minors playing – just not on the performance of the individual minor.
Wagers on outcomes such as first goal of the game, most disposals, or first player to take a wicket will not fly if the individual is under 18.
The new regulations have already seen on-course bookies banned from the Stawell Gift this Easter, where some of our fastest junior athletes have for more than a century taken on established runners in handicap events.
The Stawell Athletic Club announced on Thursday that it was falling into line with the new Victoria Gambling and Casino Control Commission policy.
Both the men’s and women’s Gift winners last year were under 19.
Ryan Tarrant, 18, collected the $40,000 men’s winner’s cheque, while 16-year-old schoolgirl Bella Pasquali won the women’s race.
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