Melbourne Cup Sweep for Venues
Running a sweep behind the bar is a tradition in Australian pubs, clubs, and RSLs — but it usually comes with paper sheets, lost names, rushed draws and payment confusion. This guide explains how venues traditionally run sweeps, where things usually go wrong, and how a digital sweep format keeps the fun without the admin.
Last Updated on October 10, 2025
How Venues Traditionally Run Paper Sweeps
Most venues still run sweeps using pen, paper, and a clipboard at the counter. Patrons pay their entry, their name gets scribbled down, and a staff member draws horse slips from a hat.
If you’re new to running a sweep or want a refresher, start with the How to Run a Sweep guide — it explains the full step-by-step process using traditional methods before considering digital.
Common Pain Points Venues Deal With
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Venue sweeps are fun — but they come with familiar issues:
Patrons argue about who paid
Staff scramble to collect names during service
The sheet goes missing or gets wet behind the bar
Someone demands “Show me my name, I didn’t see it go in!”
Prize payouts turn into “Are you sure that’s the right split?”
We’ve outlined simple fairness tricks in the Keep Sweep Fair guide if you're sticking with a paper system.
Prize Splits and Fair Payouts in Venues
Venues usually stick to quick, clear payout structures — like 50% first place, 30% second and 20% third.
If you're unsure what split to use, the Prize Payouts guide shows the most common options used in pubs across Australia.
Digital vs Paper — What’s Changing in Venues
Paper sweeps will always have charm, but a growing number of venues now use digital sweep systems to handle the admin automatically.
The Digital vs Paper guide breaks this down fairly — no jargon, just a comparison of what actually changes at the bar.
How a Digital Sweep Works in a Pub Setting
Here’s what a digital sweep looks like in real life inside a venue:
QR posters go up — patrons scan and enter their details
No handwriting, no admin — names are stored automatically
Horses are assigned digitally — no paper slips or redraws
Live draw on screen — full reveal moment with no disputes
The staff don’t need to manually call out names, mark off payments or check sheets — it all tracks itself.
Venue Licensing and Sweep Compliance
Sweeps are legal in every Australian state when run socially and when 100% of entry money is returned as prizes. That applies to both paper and digital sweeps.
If you want the full breakdown of legal sweep rules by state, see the Sweep Rules guide — it covers scratchings, redraws and prize handling requirements clearly.
Not Ready to Go Digital Yet?
That’s fine — paper sweeps still work well, especially in smaller venues.
If you prefer to stick with the traditional method this year, all the sweep essentials — from templates to fairness tips — are covered in the Sweep Guides section so you can still run it smoothly.
FAQs — Running a Sweep in a Pub or Club
Can we run more than one sweep in a venue?
Yes — many venues run multiple sweep sheets when entries go beyond 24 people. Just label them clearly as Sweep A, Sweep B, etc. so winnings don’t get mixed up.
Can we charge a “venue fee” or keep a portion of the prize pool?
By default, all sweep money must be returned as prizes for it to remain a casual, legal sweep.
If a venue wants to retain a portion (for charity or admin), it must be clearly announced before entries begin.
Do we need to register a sweep or get approval?
For social, small-stakes venue sweeps, formal approval isn’t usually required — as long as 100% of entry funds go back as prizes.
State-specific rules are covered in the Sweep Rules guide.
Can patrons join after the draw has started?
Only if entries and allocations haven't been finalised. To avoid disputes, close entries before drawing starts and announce “entries now closed” clearly.
What if a patron draws a scratched horse?
Venue sweeps usually offer a redraw or refund, but this should be announced before the draw. For guidance on scratchings and redraw formats, see the Prize Payouts guide.
Can we display sweep results on our venue screens?
Yes — some venues write results on a whiteboard or sheet. Others use digital sweep systems that show animations and results on TVs automatically.
If you're curious about this, the Digital vs Paper guide shows how the display side works.
This guide is part of our Melbourne Cup Sweep knowledge base, covering setup, rules, prize payouts, templates and digital sweep tools.
This guide is part of our Melbourne Cup Sweep knowledge base, covering setup, rules, prize payouts, templates and digital sweep tools.