Footy Tipping

Football Tipping Competitions

A footy tipping competition is when entrants must select the winning team in a football match and are awarded a point if successful. As the selection of winning teams requires skill and knowledge, it is not regarded as a lottery and therefore does not require approval by the VCGLR.

Footy tipping competitions do not meet the definitions of ‘gambling’ as there is an ‘absence of chance’;

A sports tipping competition could be considered a lottery if:

The method of entry or of selecting a winner for the competition involves an element of chance at any stage in the competition. For example, if there is more than one person with the same number of points, a draw is used to determine the winner.

A sports tipping competition would be illegal if:

The competition involves betting–this does not include a set fee or cost to enter the competition. Betting would make the competition illegal if offered in Victoria unless a licensed wagering or sports betting operator such as Tabcorp conducted it.

A footy tipping competition that involves an element of chance can only be conducted where:

all of the money that has been collected is returned as prizes
the total value of prizes distributed is not more than $5,000.

SIAG HR+

This means that the organiser of the footy tipping competition cannot take money out of the prize pool as expenses.

A footy tipping competition can also be conducted which is not for the promotion of a trade or business and no fee is charged for entrants to participate. This type of competition can be considered to be a gratuitous lottery.

Should clubs consider running a tipping competition on a commercial basis (i.e. if you are intending to conduct it to raise funds for your club) it is important that your signage indicates where monies surplus to the prize money will be directed.

If you are intending to run your commercial competition using the internet, text message, MMS, or other interactive technology you are advised to seek your own independent legal advice about whether this activity is allowed under Commonwealth legislation, in particular the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

If your proposal is permitted under Commonwealth legislation, you should then contact VCGLR on 1300 182 457 or by email at [email protected].

It is up to the person running the competition to set the value of the prizes. Information about prizes as well as entry fee to the competition should be clearly explained to allow people to decide whether or not to enter.

The most common method of determining winners is to award prizes to the three entrants who have selected the most winners over the season.

Weekly prizes can be also be awarded for tipping all winners in the round.

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