Trade promotions for gaming operators
Trade promotions in licensed gaming venues must be approved by Consumer and Business Services (CBS) and can only be run by licensed gaming operators. They're known as acceptable trade promotions.
The application process varies depending on what type of promotion you wish to run.
Gambling providers must not offer inducements or incentives to encourage people to gamble or open gambling accounts.
Prizes over $5,000
Prizes under $5,000
Instant tickets
Prizes over $5,000
If the total prize amount is over $5,000 and you're not using instant scratch or break open tickets, it's a major trade promotion.
Conditions
Entry must be free but:
- participants may have to buy goods or services, which are the subject of the promotion
- winners must be determined by lot, drawing or chance
- the cost of entry by phone can’t be more than 55 cents including GST for landlines and 50 cents for mobile phones (plus mobile charges)
- the cost of entry by post can't be more than the normal cost of postage.
Winners can be drawn or win instantly, depending on the type of promotion.
What you'll need
- details of your proposed advertising
- the title of the lottery, which must be unique
- your contact details
- if the promotion involves multiple traders, all the traders contact details
- a copy of the terms and conditions of entry
- the proposed entry form
- any proposed advertisement
- details of any incentive to enter or participate in the lottery
- the licence fee.
What to apply for
You must apply for both of these:
Acceptable trade approval
Major trade promotion licence
Prizes under $5,000
If the total prize amount is under $5,000 and you're not using instant scratch or break open tickets, it's a minor trade promotion.
Conditions
Entry must be free but:
- participants may have to buy goods or services, which are the subject of the promotion
- winners must be determined by lot, drawing or chance
- the cost of entry by phone can't be more than 55 cents including GST for landlines and 50 cents for mobile phones (plus mobile charges)
- the cost of entry by post can't be more than the normal cost of postage.
Winners can be drawn or win instantly depending on the type of promotion.
What to apply for
You only need an acceptable trade approval.
Instant tickets
If you're using instant scratch or break open tickets where the number, letter or symbol is hidden, it's an instant prize trade promotion lottery.
What you'll need
- details of the manufacture, packaging or storage of instant prize tickets
- a statement that the prizes, number, letters or symbols on a ticket are hidden.
- details of your proposed advertising
- the title of the lottery, which must be unique
- your contact details
- if the promotion involves multiple traders, all the traders contact details
- a copy of the terms and conditions of entry
- the proposed entry form
- any proposed advertisement
- details of any incentive to enter or participate in the lottery
- the licence fee.
Using an electronic drawing system
If the trade promotion lottery is drawn by an electronic drawing system:
- that has been approved, the approval number provided by CBS, along with a letter stating that the electronic drawing system has not changed since approval was granted
- that has not been approved, an application for approval of an electronic drawing system.
If the lottery will also run in another state or territory, contact them about their licensing requirements.
What to apply for
Regardless of the prize amount you must apply for both of these:
Acceptable trade approval
Instant prize trade promotion licence
Prizes over $5,000
If the total prize amount is over $5,000 and you're not using instant scratch or break open tickets, it's a major trade promotion.
Conditions
Entry must be free but:
- participants may have to buy goods or services, which are the subject of the promotion
- winners must be determined by lot, drawing or chance
- the cost of entry by phone can’t be more than 55 cents including GST for landlines and 50 cents for mobile phones (plus mobile charges)
- the cost of entry by post can't be more than the normal cost of postage.
Winners can be drawn or win instantly, depending on the type of promotion.
What you'll need
- details of your proposed advertising
- the title of the lottery, which must be unique
- your contact details
- if the promotion involves multiple traders, all the traders contact details
- a copy of the terms and conditions of entry
- the proposed entry form
- any proposed advertisement
- details of any incentive to enter or participate in the lottery
- the licence fee.
What to apply for
You must apply for both of these:
Acceptable trade approval
Major trade promotion licence
Prizes under $5,000
If the total prize amount is under $5,000 and you're not using instant scratch or break open tickets, it's a minor trade promotion.
Conditions
Entry must be free but:
- participants may have to buy goods or services, which are the subject of the promotion
- winners must be determined by lot, drawing or chance
- the cost of entry by phone can't be more than 55 cents including GST for landlines and 50 cents for mobile phones (plus mobile charges)
- the cost of entry by post can't be more than the normal cost of postage.
Winners can be drawn or win instantly depending on the type of promotion.
What to apply for
You only need an acceptable trade approval.
Instant tickets
If you're using instant scratch or break open tickets where the number, letter or symbol is hidden, it's an instant prize trade promotion lottery.
What you'll need
- details of the manufacture, packaging or storage of instant prize tickets
- a statement that the prizes, number, letters or symbols on a ticket are hidden.
- details of your proposed advertising
- the title of the lottery, which must be unique
- your contact details
- if the promotion involves multiple traders, all the traders contact details
- a copy of the terms and conditions of entry
- the proposed entry form
- any proposed advertisement
- details of any incentive to enter or participate in the lottery
- the licence fee.
Using an electronic drawing system
If the trade promotion lottery is drawn by an electronic drawing system:
- that has been approved, the approval number provided by CBS, along with a letter stating that the electronic drawing system has not changed since approval was granted
- that has not been approved, an application for approval of an electronic drawing system.
If the lottery will also run in another state or territory, contact them about their licensing requirements.
What to apply for
Regardless of the prize amount you must apply for both of these:
Acceptable trade approval
Instant prize trade promotion licence
Fees
* If you need the licence within 5 business days from when CBS receive your application, you must pay the premium fee.
Value of prize
Standard fee
Premium fee*
Instant prize only - $0 to $10,000
Major trade promotion only - $5,001 to $10,000
Both instant and major trade promotions - $10,001 to $50,000
$50,001 to $100,000
$100,001 to $200,000
More than $200,001
Application for amendment of a major or instant prize trade promotion
Application fees are not refundable.
What happens next
Standard applications will take at least 14 business days from when CBS receive your application.
CBS will contact you when your licence is approved. Lodging an application doesn't mean it's granted.
An application can be refused if:
- the prizes or incentives include prohibited goods or services
- the terms and conditions for an unclaimed prize don’t give the winner a reasonable chance to claim it.
Rules for trade promotions
Promotions must be to reward or retain existing customers, not to encourage people to gamble more than they normally would.
You'll need to follow the rules for trade promotions around:
- advertising
- conduct and conditions
- prizes and promotions
- drawing
- scrutineers
- results
- record keeping.
Changing a licence
CBS must approve any changes to a trade promotion.
You must complete the application to amend a trade promotion licence form (PDF 110KB) with the reasons for the change.
A licence won't be amended if the promotion has started or if the change is unfair.
In special circumstances, you can ask that a lottery rule be left out. It will only be allowed if it's fair to all participants.
Extra conditions may need to be added to your licence.
CBS can cancel or suspend your licence if:
- all information given isn't accurate
- legislation isn't followed
- licence conditions were not or are not met
- the prizes or incentives include banned goods or services.
Contact CBS Liquor and Gaming
Phone: 131 882
Post:
GPO Box 2169
Adelaide SA 5001
Related information
Legislation
- Authorised Betting Operations Act 2000
- Gaming Machines Act 1992
