Phone & Telephone Betting in Victoria: Licensed Operators and Your Rights

How phone and telephone betting works in Victoria

Phone betting is one of the oldest forms of licensed wagering in Australia. Instead of placing a bet through a website or app, you speak to the bookmaker or their staff directly by telephone (and, in some cases, on-course at a racetrack). Some Victorian licensees operate this way exclusively, without an online betting platform.

Bookmakers who hold a Victorian bookmaker's licence are registered through Racing Victoria and regulated under Victorian racing and gambling law, with oversight from the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC). Bookmakers are also required to be registered with a controlling body such as Racing Victoria to bet on Victorian racing. The specific licence conditions, permitted activities and any on-course arrangements vary between operators, so you should confirm current details with the relevant regulator.

This page features a number of Victorian phone and telephone betting licensees, including Ashley Manning Bookmaking, Lynn Heaver Bookmakers (Steven Lynn), Placeabet, FiestaBet (D & L McLauchlan), Garry Thomas, Philip Diviny, Raymond Swannie, Bart Stiles Bookmaking, Carly Crowe, Swiftbet, Beazabet and Business-Bet. Some of these operate online as well as by phone, while others are traditional phone or on-course bookmakers. We list them for verification and comparison purposes only.

How to verify a licence

Before you deal with any bookmaker, confirm they are licensed:

• Ask the operator for their licence details and the name of the licence holder.
• Check with the regulator. For Victorian licensees, contact Racing Victoria and/or the VGCCC to confirm the licence is current and in good standing.
• Check ACMA's register. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) maintains information on licensed interactive wagering services and operates an illegal offshore gambling blocking program. Only deal with services you can confirm are Australian-licensed.

Licensing details can change. Always confirm the current position directly with the regulator rather than relying on a directory alone.

Product and feature differences to check

Because phone bookmakers operate in different ways, features vary. Ask about the following before opening an account:

• Account and verification requirements. Australian law requires wagering operators to verify your identity (name, date of birth and address) before you can bet. You will generally need to provide identification. This applies to phone accounts as well as online ones.
• Deposit and withdrawal methods. Some phone bookmakers accept bank transfer or card; others have their own arrangements. Ask how deposits are made, how withdrawals are paid, and what timeframes apply.
• How bets are recorded. With phone betting, calls may be recorded, and the recording can be important if there is a later dispute about what was agreed. Ask whether calls are recorded and how you can obtain confirmation of a bet.
• Availability. Confirm the hours you can place bets by phone, which events or racing codes are covered, and whether the operator also bets on-course.

Minimum bet limits

Australian racing controlling bodies apply minimum bet limit rules that require bookmakers to lay a bet to lose a set minimum amount on certain racing markets, subject to conditions. The rules differ by state and code and by whether betting is on-course, by phone or online. If minimum bet obligations matter to you, ask the bookmaker how they apply to phone bets and confirm the current rules with the relevant controlling body such as Racing Victoria.

Consumer protections and how to complain

If you have a problem with a Victorian licensed bookmaker — for example a dispute about a bet, a payout or your account — the general pathway is:

1. Raise it with the bookmaker first. Put your complaint in writing and keep records, including the date and time of any phone call.
2. Escalate to the regulator if it is not resolved. For Victorian licensees, complaints can be directed to the VGCCC and/or Racing Victoria, depending on the issue.

Complaint time limits vary by jurisdiction. For example, wagering operators licensed in the Northern Territory are subject to a 60-day window for lodging certain betting disputes with the NT regulator. Because time limits and the correct body depend on where the operator is licensed, confirm the applicable process and deadline for your specific bookmaker before you lodge.

Questions to ask before opening an account

• Who holds the licence, and which regulator oversees it?
• Is the licence current, and can I verify it independently?
• What identification do I need to provide?
• How are deposits made and how are withdrawals paid?
• Are phone calls recorded, and how do I get written confirmation of a bet?
• What responsible gambling tools are available, such as deposit limits?
• What is the complaint process and the time limit for disputes?

Gambling is entertainment with risk

Betting should be treated as entertainment, and it carries financial risk. You can set a deposit limit with a licensed operator, and you can block yourself from all licensed Australian online and phone wagering services by registering with BetStop — the National Self-Exclusion Register at betstop.gov.au.

For free and confidential support, call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.