What time can I open on Melbourne Cup Day?
On Melbourne Cup Day, or any other day for that matter, venues can open earlier than their approved trading hours for the provision of non-licensed trade from 7am. However, the sale and supply of liquor can only be during your approved trading hours.
Venues have the ability to offer non-licensed facilities and services such as TAB wagering and the provision of food and non-alcoholic beverages prior to their 鈥渘ormal鈥� opening times. TAB venues will be able to log-on their TAB terminals and process bets from 7am.
Only venues who have lodged an extended trading hours鈥� application, which has been approved by OLGR, may serve liquor outside their approved trading hours.
Can I Conduct a Melbourne Cup sweep?
Under the Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Act 1999 (Qld), an individual may conduct a category 1 game which includes for example, a Melbourne Cup sweep, as long as:
(a) the individual does not derive a personal gain from conducting the game; and
(b) all proceeds of the game, or goods representing the value of the proceeds, are returned to the 鈥榩layers鈥� as prizes.
There is no requirement for any type of licence or permit to conduct a category 1 game in this context.
A non-profit association may also conduct a category 1 game (gross proceeds under $2,000) for fundraising activities for charitable and non-profit purposes.
Most Melbourne Cup sweeps are conducted in a simple format where the total amount of money gathered per sweep is returned on a predetermined basis. For example, a $1 sweep, where 24 tickets are sold (one per horse) will raise a total of $24, which may be divided into winnings of $12 for first, $8 for second and $4 for third, totaling $24.
There is no obligation as to how the dividends must be allocated, however it is recommended that the breakdown is disclosed prior to the selling of tickets.
In some instances, the total amount of money gathered for a sweep is returned in the form of goods (representing that value) as a prize. These prizes must not include tobacco products, surgery, weapons or ammunition, or other legislatively restricted items.
Further, if a prize includes an alcohol or gaming product then a ticket must not be sold to a minor.