Melbourne Cup sweep rules by state
A small office or club sweep is usually fine — but each state and territory sets its own limits. Here's what each regulator says, in plain English, with a link to the source.
General information, not legal advice. Checked 1 November 2026 — rules change, so confirm with your regulator, especially for a large sweep.
Victoria · VIC
Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC)
- All of the money collected must be returned as prizes — the organiser can’t keep anything for costs.
- Total prizes can’t be more than $5,000.
- There’s no minimum or maximum entry fee, and a sweep can be run anywhere.
- A Calcutta sweep is different and needs a permit from the Minister for Racing.
New South Wales · NSW
NSW Fair Trading
- Anyone can run a sweep for social entertainment.
- An authority is only needed if total prizes are more than $30,000.
- For a social sweep, the proceeds go to the holders of the placed horses. The organiser can’t be paid, though reasonable expenses can be deducted.
Queensland · QLD
Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR)
- Sweeps are a “category 1” game. No licence is needed while total ticket sales are $2,000 or less.
- An individual can run one only if they make no personal gain and all proceeds go back to players as prizes.
- Above $2,000 in ticket sales, only eligible non-profit associations can run it.
Business Queensland — Competitions, raffles and bingo · OLGR — Your guide to category 1 games (PDF)
Western Australia · WA
Racing, Gaming and Liquor / Gaming and Wagering Commission
- A “small private lottery” needs no permit when tickets are only sold to people who work or live on the same premises (or members of the same non-gaming club).
- Every ticket costs the same, the sale and result happen within 8 days, and no single prize is more than $1,000.
- All proceeds go to prizes, after only printing and stationery costs. Advertising is limited to a notice on the premises.
⚠️ WA’s rules cover small private lotteries generally — they don’t name sweeps or the Melbourne Cup.
South Australia · SA
Consumer and Business Services
- No licence is needed for a sweepstake run by an organisation on its own behalf, where gross proceeds are $2,000 or less and all money collected is used for prizes.
- You must be 18 or older to take part.
⚠️ The guidance doesn’t clearly cover a sweep run privately among colleagues or friends, and part of it refers to a share of proceeds going to an approved purpose. Check with Consumer and Business Services.
Tasmania · TAS
Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission
- A sweepstake on a sporting event is an “exempt game”, so no permit is needed.
- Total contributions can’t be more than $10,000, and no one person can put in more than $260.
- All contributions, with nothing deducted, go back to participants as prizes. Explain the rules up front and keep records.
Tasmanian Treasury — Changes to minor gaming · Sweepstakes — conditions for an exempt game (PDF)
Australian Capital Territory · ACT
ACT Gambling and Racing Commission
- A “private lottery” is exempt when it’s limited to people who work or live on the same premises, or belong to the same association, and is run by one of them.
- Every entry costs the same and has an equal chance. Proceeds go wholly to prizes, after only ticket-printing costs, and winners are recorded.
⚠️ The Commission doesn’t mention sweeps by name, and the exemption doesn’t cover friends who don’t share a workplace, home or association. Check with the Commission.
Northern Territory · NT
Licensing NT
- An approved association can run a sweepstake without a permit while total ticket sales are $5,000 or less.
- The old $500 Melbourne Cup sweep limit you may see quoted was repealed in 2006.
⚠️ We couldn’t find NT guidance on a sweep run informally by an individual or a workplace. Check with Licensing NT.
TribePicks sweeps return every dollar as prizes — nothing comes out of the pot — and each sweep is capped so its prizes can't pass Victoria's $5,000 limit. Check your own state's limits above.