Australia v Western Australia

Overview

Western Australia (WA) is the country's most restrictive gambling jurisdiction. Slot machines outside casinos are banned here and the only venue where they are allowed is Crown Perth. Regulation is carried out by the Gaming and Wagering Commission (GWC) under the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC).
The state relies on the Gaming and Wagering Commission Act 1987 and Casino Control Act 1984, and also applies the Point of Consumption Tax (PoCT) 15% for online wagering. The policy is aimed at strict control, transparency and minimization of harm.

Regulators and legal framework

Gaming and Wagering Commission (GWC): Licenses and controls casinos, betting, lotteries and charitable gaming.
DLGSC (Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries): provides administration and policy development in the field of gambling and alcohol.

Main acts:

Gaming and Wagering Commission Act 1987 is the basic law on licensing and control of gambling activities.
Casino Control Act 1984 is the legal basis for Crown Perth Casino.
Racing and Wagering Western Australia Act 2003 - regulates betting on horse racing and sports (through the state operator RWWA).
Betting Control Act 1954 - licensing rules for betting operations and sweepstakes.

Key features of regulation

1. No EGM outside the casino

Western Australia is the only state where slot machines (EGMs) are only allowed inside Crown Perth casinos.
All pubs, clubs and hotels operate without "poker" - this is a political position that has been maintained since the 1980s.

2. Crown Perth Casino

The only licensed playground for casino games and slot machines.
Under Casino Control Act 1984 and direct supervision of GWC/DLGSC.

Following Royal Commission investigations (2021-2022), enhanced oversight measures have been introduced, including:

ongoing monitoring of Crown Perth's operations;
Mandatory KYC/AML RG policies and procedures
limiting cash transactions;
severe fines and the risk of license suspension in case of repeated violations.

3. Online wagering

Only allowed on Australian-licensed operators; federal IGA 2001 is fully effective in WA.
Sports betting and horse racing are regulated through Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA).
PoCT (15%) applies from 2019 on the net proceeds of bets placed by WA players.

4. Lotteries and charitable gaming

The Lotterywest state lottery is the only permitted organiser.
Revenues are directed to community and cultural foundations.
Promos and charity giveaways require permission from GWC.

Harm Minimisation and Advertising

Prohibited "inductions" to open an account, bonus offers and aggressive advertising of bets.
GWC and DLGSC apply the Advertising Code of Practice, which prohibits the use of "youth" images, false expectations and hidden forms of promotion.

Crown Perth is required to comply with its own Responsible Gambling Code, which includes:

self-exclusion system;
limits on visits and losses;
informing players;
RG personnel training.

Point of Consumption Tax (PoCT)

Parameter	Value
Entered	2019
Rate	15%
Object	Net wagering revenue (WA customer rates)
Administers	WA Department of Finance
Threshold	Exemption to A $150,000
Revenue assignment	Sports, culture and infrastructure support (including Lotterywest)

Control, licensing and enforcement

All licences are issued by GWC, including casinos, bookmakers, betting shops and charity lotteries.
Since 2023, an updated risk-based framework has been in effect: licenses are assigned taking into account the risk category (casino, wagering, community gaming).
Strict requirements for AML/CTF, transaction accounting and reporting have been introduced.
For violation - fines, license revocation, public register of violations.

What is/is not allowed

Allowed:

Casinos and slot machines in Crown Perth only.
Online wagering with Australian operators complying with IGA and PoCT.
Lotteries and charity raffles with permission from GWC.

Prohibited:

Slot machines outside the casino.
Online casino, poker, bingo, in-play betting online.
Offshore operators without a license.
Bonus "inducements" and misleading ads.

Compliance checklist (high-level)

1. Online wagering: comply with the federal IGA and PoCT (15%), ensure geolocation separation of customers from WA.
2. Casino and offline operations: comply with GWC/DLGSC license terms; Maintain RG code, cash limits and reporting.
3. Advertising: avoid any "inducements" and youth-oriented materials; all campaigns must be validated against the Advertising Code.
4. EGM: work only at Crown Perth; third-party sites do not have the right to place machines.
5. Reporting: Regularly transmit data to GWC and AUSTRAC (for AML).

Perspective (2025-2027)

WA maintains a uniquely restrictive model: banning slot machines entirely outside casinos, government monopoly Lotterywest and minimising online risk.

Main trends:

increased oversight of Crown Perth;
development of digital player self-control tools;
Advertising Code update;
coordination of PoCT with the federation and combating offshore operators.

Western Australia demonstrates a model of "socially sustainable gambling," where regulation is subordinated to community protection and transparency.

Terms

DLGSC — Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.
GWC - Gaming and Wagering Commission (WA regulator).
Casino Control Act 1984 is a casino regulation law.
Gaming and Wagering Commission Act 1987 is the basic law on gambling.
RWWA - Racing and Wagering Western Australia, a sports and horse racing betting operator.
PoCT (WA) - tax at the place of consumption of rates: 15%.
Lotterywest is a Western Australian state lottery.