Intro
To the Hon Minister Papalia CSC MLA, Minister for Police; Corrective Services; Racing and Gaming; Defence Industry; Veterans Issues
In accordance with section 63 of the Financial Management Act 2006, I hereby submit for your information and presentation to Parliament, the Annual Report of the Gaming and Wagering Commission of Western Australia for the reporting period ended 30 June 2024.
The Annual Report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Management Act 2006.
The financial statements comply with Australian Accounting Standards – Simplified Disclosures issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board.
8 October 2024
In 2023-24, the Gaming and Wagering Commission, in collaboration with the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC), continued to progress work in controlling and regulating the conduct of gaming and wagering in Western Australia through the administration of legislation and policies. The commission aimed to achieve harm minimisation and consumer protection for the community of Western Australia through effective regulation, and ensure fair and ethical conduct of gaming and wagering.
During the year the commission continued to address reforms identified by the Perth Casino Royal Commission (PCRC) to mitigate risks related to the conduct and organisation of gaming operations at Perth Casino. Several PCRC recommendations, made in relation to electronic gaming machines (EGMs), aimed at reducing gambling harm in the community. One of the key recommendations included a $10 maximum bet limit for EGMs on the casino main gaming floor. To implement this recommendation, a direction was issued to the casino, by the commission, and the $10 maximum bet limit came into effect on 1 July 2023.
The commission continued its focus on progressing other key regulatory policy reforms for EGMs. The PCRC recommendations included the casino implementing pre-set weekly loss and time limits, and carded play on all machines by December 2025. Directions from the GWC are currently well progressed with the intent to achieve these recommendations.
In addition, the PCRC recommended the commission direct the casino licensee to implement a financial capacity requirement for patrons of the International Gaming Facility. Significant work has been undertaken this year to progress this and will be continuing toward finalised directions in the next financial year. These directions will further contribute towards harm minimisation, and responsible service of gaming at the Perth casino.
Changes to the State Agreement between the State and the licensed casino under the Casino (Burswood Island) Agreement Act 1985 were ratified under the Casino (Burswood Island) Agreement Amendment Act 2023, and came into operation on 15 March 2024. These changes, primarily, raised the yearly casino gaming licence fee payable to appropriately fund the commission’s administration of the Casino Control Act 1984 and regulation of the casino. This resulted in the resourcing for a regulatory uplift program in line with the findings and recommendations of the PCRC. The commission has been working with DLGSC to develop a new service level agreement to identify and formalise the additional services required for the regulatory uplift program to effectively regulate the casino.
In the reporting year the commission continued its important work of regulating gaming and wagering in Western Australia, with authorised officers undertaking inspections, audits and investigations of gambling operations. Our regulatory approach this year also included investigators working on behalf of the commission, cooperating with law enforcement and regulatory partners to develop intelligence, gather evidence and collaborate on joint enforcement actions. This led to raids over the course of the year that targeted illegal common gaming houses. The raids also served as a warning for industry participants to comply with the conditions of their approved permits and certificates and not to conduct unlawful gaming operations as the commission may cancel or revoke licences and permits and prosecute for offences against Western Australian gambling laws.
Work will be undertaken during 2024-25 to increase the commission’s compliance and enforcement capabilities. The commission will be enhancing its Gaming and Wagering Compliance and Enforcement Policy to provide the DLGSC, the gaming and wagering industry, and the community of Western Australia, guidance on the commission’s approach to compliance and enforcement. Work will also include establishing Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) with the WA Police Force and AUSTRAC.
During the year work was also initiated on further legislative reforms that will be progressed in 2 tranches. Amendments are scheduled for introduction into Parliament in the second half of 2024, that will focus on improving the commission’s compliance and enforcement powers, and significantly increasing the monetary penalties for offences.
Through the work of the Gaming Community Trust, 13 community projects in Western Australia received financial support via the Community Gaming Trust fund, which is derived from a fund of unclaimed winnings from casino gaming and wagering. One of the categories for the awarding of the grants is gambling harm. 3 organisations were among those community groups awarded the grants in this category and they will use the grants to offer gambling harm reduction education, research or support programs to their various communities. Other category recipients include not-for-profit and charitable organisations, sporting clubs, Aboriginal corporations, and infrastructure development projects, operating across Western Australia. Other unclaimed monies from wagers made on sporting events, are also used for grants that fund the delivery of community sport and active recreation within Western Australia.
The work of the Independent Monitor will be vital to assist the commission in preparing and completing the required suitability recommendations in 2025, relative to the Perth Casino licensee. The commission will develop a suitability assessment framework which incorporates the reports of the Independent Monitor and DLGSC, as well as its own work, to guide the commission in their recommendation.
The commission itself has undergone change in 2023-24. In February 2024 Dr Micheal Schaper resigned from his role as chairperson before I commenced in this role in March 2024. The commission would like to acknowledge Dr Schaper’s work as the inaugural independent chairperson. Furthermore, I would like to thank the Deputy Chairperson, Ms Katie Hodson-Thomas, who acted as chairperson during the vacancy, and the commission members for the assistance provided since I commenced in the role.
I would also like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the work of the DLGSC staff who supported the commission throughout the year. The DLGSC staff play a critical role in achieving the goals of the commission and I look forward to a close collaborative working relationship during 2024-25.
Mr Gary DreibergsChairpersonGaming and Wagering Commission8 October 2024