Australia v Tasmania

Overview

Tasmania combines the federal IGA 2001 framework (online wagering with Australian licensees; banning online casinos, poker, in-play online) with an active staff policy. Future Gaming Market (FGM) reform completed the historic single licensee model by 2023 and introduced direct licenses for pubs/clubs with EGMs and separate regimes for casinos (Wrest Point, Country Club). Online wagering tax is charged as Point-of-Consumption Tax (PoCT) 15% of net wagering revenue over A $150,000. The discussion around the mandatory player card (pre-commitment) in 2024-2025 led to transfers and conditional linkage with a nationwide approach.

Regulators and legal framework

Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission (TLGC) is an independent regulator: licensing, supervision, practice codes, reporting.
Department of Treasury and Finance (Tasmania) - policy and administration (including PoCT, FGM materials and public consultations).

• Gaming Control Act 1993 - general betting/gaming mode, PoCT and licensed mechanics.
• Casino-Company Control Act 1973 - control of the casino owner company (Wrest Point/Country Club).

Future Gaming Market (FGM): What has changed since 2023

The end of exclusivity: ending the "monopoly" on pokies and moving to direct licensing of pubs/clubs.
Control points: monitoring and state supervision layer for EGM, updating limits and requirements for sites.
Goals: industry sustainability, reduced EGM cap, strengthening RG policies.

Online and PoCT

What is allowed online: only wagering before the start of the event for operators with an Australian license (in-play - only by phone; federal IGA).

PoCT (Tas): 15% of NWR on Tasmanian customers, with an A $150,000 annual threshold; filing monthly returns when the threshold is exceeded. (Clarifications: threshold and exemption rules; exceptions under free bets - in a number of jurisdictions differently than in Tas.)

Casino and offline segment

Casinos: Wrest Point (Hobart) and Country Club (Launceston) operate on a separate regime; TLGC/Treasury maintain code and oversight subpoena (RG, AML/CTF in part of jurisdiction, disciplinary action). Historically, Wrest Point is Australia's first legal casino (1973).
EGMs in pubs/clubs: licensed directly (from 2023), with enhanced requirements for information, interventions and reporting according to TLGC guidelines.

Pre-commitment (player card): from plan to pause

Initial architecture (TLGC recommendation, 2022-2024): mandatory player card with pre-configured limits of $100/day, $500/month, $5,000/year, spin slowdown and other technical restrictions - as a systemic measure to reduce harm on EGM outside the casino.
2024-2025: The government rescheduled the launch and then said it would not introduce the system alone until a national approach took shape; topic moved to consultation/assessment mode.

Advertising, RG and Enforcement

Advertising and "inducements": practices in line with the federal NCPF/ACMA; TLGC monitors promos and communications related to licensed halls/operators.
RG requirements: information, self-exclusion, intervention logs; for online operators - NCPF/BetStop compliance, credit ban/crypto ban (federal measures).
Enforcement trends (2024-2025): enhanced publication of statistics and tax collections after changing the tax model from 01. 07. 2023; attention to the impact of reforms on pub/club returns and social damage.

What is/is not allowed (high-level)

Allowed

Sports betting/horse racing at Australian licensed operators (online prior to the event; in-play - by phone).
EGMs in licensed pubs/clubs and casinos subject to staff rules and practice codes.
Casino games at Wrest Point and Country Club (under separate terms and codes).

Prohibited/Restricted

Online casino, online poker, in-play online, lotto betting - by IGA.
Aggressive "inducements" to attract betting/account opening; violations of advertising rules.

Compliance checklist (for operators and suppliers)

1. PoCT 15% (Tas): correct geo-attribution of Tasmanian customer rates, A $150,000 threshold accounting, monthly reports.
2. Online wagering: strict IGA compliance (no casinos/poker/online in-play; telephone in-play - valid).
3. EGM sites: comply with TLGC RG/reporting requirements; consider the consequences of FGM (direct licenses, monitoring, limits).
4. Casino/Vendors: meet codes and conditions for Wrest Point/Country Club; ready for TLGC checks.
5. Pre-commitment: monitor further government decisions; current status - deferred/linked to nat. approach.

Perspective (2025-2027)

Fiscally and Regulatory Tasmania anchors the FGM + PoCT model, strengthening reporting and RG contours around EGM and advertising. The fate of the player's mandatory card remains a key factor: with national coordination, a return to implementation is possible; without it, the evolution of alternative measures is likely (tougher on advertising, EGM settings and monitoring). For the operator, this means a high basic compliance threshold and the need for "by-the-book" compliance with PoCT, RG and advertising restrictions.

Terms

TLGC - Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission (regulator).
FGM - Future Gaming Market (market structure and licensing reform from 2023).
PoCT (Tas) - Point-of-Consumption Tax 15% of NWR, A $150,000 threshold.
Pre-commitment (player card) - "player card" with limits; implementation on pause, awaiting nationwide decision.