Intro
The Gaming and Wagering Commission of Western Australia (the Commission) met on 10 occasions during the reporting period to consider a range of issues.
During the year, more than 8,500 inspections/audits were conducted on behalf of the Commission, and 1,790 community gaming permits were issued resulting in a gross amount of more than $67.9 million being raised by permit holders. Following the deduction of event expenses, a net amount of approximately $26.7 million was returned to beneficiary organisations. The reduction in the number of gaming permits issued on the previous year has been attributed to the effects of COVID-19 responses.
On behalf of the Western Australian racing industry, the Commission collects a product fee from wagering operators nationally who use Western Australian race fields as part of their operations. This product fee is remitted to Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) on a monthly basis for distribution to registered Western Australian racing clubs. Despite a downturn in betting across Australia due to the effects of COVID-19 with the absence of betting opportunities in main stream national and international sporting events, betting on racing continued, this resulted in an increase in the racing bets levy paid to RWWA for 2019-20 of $10 million. In total, the Commission remitted $88.5 million to RWWA over 2019-20.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members, including the Commission’s outgoing members, Mr Rob Bovell and Mr Andrew Duckworth, for their contribution to the effective operation of the Commission throughout the year, as well as staff from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries for their ongoing support.
Duncan Ord OAMChairman