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

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

Apply now

Major trade promotion licence

Apply now

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.

Apply now

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

Apply now

Instant prize trade promotion licence

Apply now

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

Apply now

Major trade promotion licence

Apply now

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.

Apply now

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

Apply now

Instant prize trade promotion licence

Apply now

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

$195.00

$391.00

Major trade promotion only - $5,001 to $10,000

$195.00

$391.00

Both instant and major trade promotions - $10,000 to $50,000

$716.00

$1,434.00

$50,000 to $100,000

$1,252.00

$2,500.00

$100,000 to $200,000

$2,147.00

$4,294.00

More than $200,000

$3,938.00

$7,867.00

Acceptable trade promotion approvalnil 

Application for amendment of a major or instant prize trade promotion

$64.00

 

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.

Trade promotions for businesses has detailed rules.

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.

Having your licence cancelled

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

Email: liquorandgaming@sa.gov.au

Phone: 131 882

Post:
GPO Box 2169
Adelaide SA 5001


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Page last updated 15 February 2023

Provided by:
Attorney-General's Department
URL:
https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/business-and-trade/gambling/running-a-gaming-venue/gaming-trade-promotions
Last Updated:
15/02/23
Printed on:
19/04/24
Copyright statement:
SA.GOV.AU is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Licence. © Copyright 2024
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