Stawell Gift 2024: On-course bookmakers banned from Gift in line with anti-gambling policy for events involving teenagers

Bookies have been banned from one of Australia’s most iconic races — the Stawell Gift — in a controversial move which has killed off more than a century worth of history.

Scott Gullan

@gullanHeraldSun

less than 2 min read

February 29, 2024 - 4:57PM

STAWELL, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 10: Athletes compete in the Stawell Athletic Club Bill McManus BackmarkersÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ Handicap during the 2023 Stawell Gift at Central Park on April 10, 2023 in Stawell, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

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Bureaucracy has killed off one of Australia’s great sporting traditions with bookmakers banned from this year’s Stawell Gift.

The bookies standing on the hill at Central Park taking bets on Australia’s richest footrace has been the iconic image of the event over the Easter weekend for well over 100 years but red tape has now intervened.

In a controversial move the Stawell Athletic Club announced on Thursday they were falling into line with a recent Victoria Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) policy on a ban on wagering on all under-19 sports competitions.

Ryan Tarrant and Bella Pasqualwere both under 19 when they won their respective Stawell Gifts in 2023. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Both the men and women’s Gift winners last year were under the age of 19.

In the 141st edition of the men’s race, 18-year-old Ryan Tarrant collected the $40,000 winner’s cheque while 16-year-old schoolgirl Bella Pasquali won the women’s race.

And she wasn’t even the youngest ever winner, that honour went to 15-year-old, Talia Martin back in 2016.

The beauty of Stawell is that it attracts competitors of all ages across a variety of events, including sprints and distance running, over the three-day carnival with “beating the bookie” a catchphrase that has long been the fabric of the event.

“While we acknowledge that many athletes participating at Stawell are indeed aged over 19 years, many of our athletes, particularly those in our feature sprint events, are under the age of 19,” Stawell Gift Event Management Limited Chairman Murray Emerson said.

On-course betting has been part of the fabric of the Stawell Gift for over a century. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

“In fact, teenagers are the defending champions in both the Powercor Stawell Gift and Strickland Family Women’s Gift in 2024.

“We are committed to the integrity of the event and the welfare of our participants and spectators. This decision has been made with these priorities in mind.”

Punters have previously also been able to bet on the Stawell Gift in recent years with the TAB.