Administration
Division 1 — Administration
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Gaming and Wagering Commission established 11
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Trading name or symbol, use of by Commission 11
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Minister and Commission, relationship between 12
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Western Australia act
The Act creates a statutory Gaming and Wagering Commission to licence, supervise and enforce modern gambling rules across Western Australia, consolidate regulation of casinos, wagering, lotteries, gaming machines and remote devices, and require harm‑minimisation and reporting. It gives the Commission broad powers to set conditions, require bonds/levies, inspect, seize and prosecute.
It mainly affects operators, suppliers, venues, community fundraisers, RWWA, police and government (Treasurer/Minister). It centralises regulatory discretion, raises compliance costs and changes market entry and accountability.
Want the full deep dive?
Zoe can write the in-depth analysis on top of the summary above: how it works, who it affects and what each part actually does.
Direct links to the current provisions in Gaming Commission Act 1987.
Division 1 — Administration
Gaming and Wagering Commission established 11
Trading name or symbol, use of by Commission 11
Minister and Commission, relationship between 12
Division 2 — Duties and powers
Duties of Commission 12
Powers of Commission 14
Division 3 — Finance
Funds of Commission; financial provisions 16
Financial Management Act 2006 and Auditor General Act 2006 apply to Commission 18
Some dealings by Commission need Treasurer’s approval 19
Division 4 — Membership, co‑option, consultation and committees
Members of Commission, attendance at meetings etc. 19
Remuneration of members; effect of service with Commission on public servants 22
Co‑option, consultation etc., Commission’s powers as to 23
Committees, appointment of etc. 24
Delegation powers 24
Division 5 — Proceedings
Division 6 — Staff, etc.
Staff, contractors etc.; Commission may ask Commissioner of Police to inquire etc. into various matters 27
Government departments, statutory bodies etc. to assist Commission 29
Reports, effect of and privilege attached to; official information, disclosure of etc. 30
Division 7 — Confidential police information
20A. Certain information provided by police to be kept confidential 31
Part III — Enforcement
Authorised officers, appointment and duties of and reports by 34
Permitted gaming and social gambling, powers to scrutinize etc. 35
Other police powers not limited by this Act 36
Commissioner of Police, directions by to police officers 37
Entry to premises, arrest etc., warrant authorising 37
Evidence, information etc., powers to seize, obtain etc. 39
Information, production of books, accounts etc., powers to require 40
27A. Authorised officers to be public officers for Criminal Investigation Act 2006 41
Recovering moneys payable to Commission 42
Hindering etc. Commission etc. and false etc. answers, offences as to 43
Incriminating information to be provided but is not admissible 44
Seizure without warrant 45
31A. Powers to assist seizing things 45
32A. Disposing of seized or forfeited things 46
Prosecuting offences 46
Offences to be dealt with by magistrate 47
General penalty 47
Infringement notices 47
Liability of officers for offence by body corporate 49
Service of notices 50
Evidentiary provisions for charges of offences 50
Evidentiary provisions for charges involving common gaming houses 55
Part IV — Common gaming houses, unlawful gaming, cheating etc.
40A. Part does not apply to gambling under other written laws 58
Common gaming house, meaning of and offences as to 58
Prohibited gaming and unlawful games defined and offences as to 60
Defence of restricted access not available to charge of s. 41 or 42 offence 62
43A. Advertising unlawful gambling 63
Cheating in games etc. to obtain prize etc., offence 64
Permitted gaming, offences as to 65
Part V — Permitted gambling
Division 1 — Gaming generally
Permitted gaming defined 67
Gaming permits, types, issue and effect of 68
Issue of permit on direction by Minister 69
Applications for issue or renewal of permit, matters that may be considered when deciding 70
Register of approvals, permit holders etc., Commission to keep and allow inspection of etc. 72
Persons eligible to hold gaming permits, approval of 73
Applications for gaming permits 75
Fees and charges for gaming permits 76
Charging people to take part in permitted gaming 77
Approving premises for gaming 79
Renewing approvals, permits and certificates 82
Reports by permit holders, when required, content of etc. 83
Gaming permit may regulate use of proceeds from permitted gaming etc. 85
Approvals etc. may require security to be given 86
Revoking and amending permits and certain approvals 88
Revocation or amendment of current approval etc., Commission to report to Minister; appeals to Minister 90
No credit to be given to person for permitted gaming; cheques for permitted gaming 91
Division 2 — Social gambling
Division 4 — Permitted two‑up
Two‑up at country race meetings 95
Two‑up at other places 96
Conditions deemed in certain permits 98
Regulations for this Division 99
Division 5 — Gaming machines and other gaming equipment and its operation
Terms used 99
Unlawful gaming machines etc., use and possession of prohibited 101
Use of unlawful cash or tokens in gaming machines 104
Records about gaming equipment, powers to require keeping of 104
Prescribed gaming equipment, regulations about, certificates for sellers etc. of 105
Prescribed gaming equipment, sale etc. of 108
Application of s. 88 and 89 to concessionaires 108
Permitted gaming, restrictions on certain people in relation to 109
Certificates for s. 91 111
Offences in relation to s. 91 112
Division 5A — Remote gambling devices
93A. Terms used 112
93B. Offences relating to remote gambling devices 113
Division 6 — Permitted bingo
Terms used 113
Permits to conduct bingo; who may play permitted bingo 115
Multiple bingo 116
Simultaneous bingo 118
Conduct of bingo 119
Recovering moneys payable to Commission for bingo 119
Regulations as to bingo 120
Division 7 — Lotteries, and amusements with prizes etc.
Terms used 122
Certain lotteries unlawful 124
Permitted lotteries (deemed) 125
Permits for lotteries; duties of holders of permit for standard lottery 126
104AA. Commission may require bank guarantee for certain standard lotteries 129
104AB. Commission’s powers if bank guarantee provided 130
104AC. Commission may demand payment under bank guarantee 131
104AD. Commission must give notice in relation to bank guarantee 132
104AE. Commission to deal with money paid under bank guarantee 133
104AF. Return of bank guarantee 134
104A. Commission not liable for unpaid lottery prizes 134
104B. Licensing of suppliers of lottery tickets 134
104C. Licences of licensed suppliers, cancelling etc. 136
104D. Refusal or cancellation of supplier’s licence, Commission to report to Minister; appeals to Minister 137
104E. Suppliers to give Commission tickets if licence cancelled etc. 138
104F. Licensed suppliers to lodge returns and pay continuing lotteries levy 139
104G. Continuing lotteries levy, application of 141
104H. Exemption from levy 142
104I. Refund of levy 142
104J. Tickets, protecting and accounting for; estimating levy for lost etc. tickets 142
104K. Tickets may be given to Commission for destruction 144
104L. Offences by licensed suppliers 144
104M. Offences involving continuing lottery tickets 145
Continuing lotteries, use of vending machines to sell tickets for 146
Offences involving lotteries 147
Amusements with prizes, which are permitted 148
Some fund raising activities deemed permitted amusement with prizes 150
Regulations for this Division 151
Division 8 — Unclaimed winnings
109A. Terms used 152
109B. Unclaimed winnings, Commission to be notified of etc. 153
109C. Gaming Community Trust Account 154
109D. Gaming Community Trust 155
Part VA — Supervision of RWWA
109E. Gambling operations of RWWA, meaning of 157
109F. Supervision of RWWA by Commission etc. 157
109G. Directions to RWWA, Commission may give 158
109H. Contravention of directions 159
109I. Complaints about RWWA, Commission’s functions as to 160
109J. Reports on and inquiries into RWWA 160
109K. Report or inquiry under s. 109J, Minister’s powers following 162
Part VI — Ancillary
110A. Sports Wagering Account 165
110B. Racing Bets Levy Account 165
110C. Provision of information to Commission 167
110D. Delegation by CEO 167
Burswood Casino Agreement cl. 22, when Commission may decide questions as to 168
Transitional provisions as to Casino Control Act 1984 168
Regulations 169
Sourced from the Western Australian Legislation website (legislation.wa.gov.au). Not the authorised version.
Western Australia
Gaming and Wagering Commission Act 1987
Western Australia
Gaming and Wagering Commission Act 1987
Contents
Part I — Preliminary
Short title 2
Commencement 2
Terms used 2
Part II — The Commission
Division 1 — Administration
Gaming and Wagering Commission established 11
Trading name or symbol, use of by Commission 11
Minister and Commission, relationship between 12
Division 2 — Duties and powers
Duties of Commission 12
Powers of Commission 14
Division 3 — Finance
Funds of Commission; financial provisions 16
Financial Management Act 2006 and Auditor General Act 2006 apply to Commission 18
Some dealings by Commission need Treasurer’s approval 19
Division 4 — Membership, co‑option, consultation and committees
Members of Commission, attendance at meetings etc. 19
Remuneration of members; effect of service with Commission on public servants 22
Co‑option, consultation etc., Commission’s powers as to 23
Committees, appointment of etc. 24
Delegation powers 24
Division 5 — Proceedings
Division 6 — Staff, etc.
Staff, contractors etc.; Commission may ask Commissioner of Police to inquire etc. into various matters 27
Government departments, statutory bodies etc. to assist Commission 29
Reports, effect of and privilege attached to; official information, disclosure of etc. 30
Division 7 — Confidential police information
20A. Certain information provided by police to be kept confidential 31
Part III — Enforcement
Authorised officers, appointment and duties of and reports by 34
Permitted gaming and social gambling, powers to scrutinize etc. 35
Other police powers not limited by this Act 36
Commissioner of Police, directions by to police officers 37
Entry to premises, arrest etc., warrant authorising 37
Evidence, information etc., powers to seize, obtain etc. 39
Information, production of books, accounts etc., powers to require 40
27A. Authorised officers to be public officers for Criminal Investigation Act 2006 41
Recovering moneys payable to Commission 42
Hindering etc. Commission etc. and false etc. answers, offences as to 43
Incriminating information to be provided but is not admissible 44
Seizure without warrant 45
31A. Powers to assist seizing things 45
32A. Disposing of seized or forfeited things 46
Prosecuting offences 46
Offences to be dealt with by magistrate 47
General penalty 47
Infringement notices 47
Liability of officers for offence by body corporate 49
Service of notices 50
Evidentiary provisions for charges of offences 50
Evidentiary provisions for charges involving common gaming houses 55
Part IV — Common gaming houses, unlawful gaming, cheating etc.
40A. Part does not apply to gambling under other written laws 58
Common gaming house, meaning of and offences as to 58
Prohibited gaming and unlawful games defined and offences as to 60
Defence of restricted access not available to charge of s. 41 or 42 offence 62
43A. Advertising unlawful gambling 63
Cheating in games etc. to obtain prize etc., offence 64
Permitted gaming, offences as to 65
Part V — Permitted gambling
Division 1 — Gaming generally
Permitted gaming defined 67
Gaming permits, types, issue and effect of 68
Issue of permit on direction by Minister 69
Applications for issue or renewal of permit, matters that may be considered when deciding 70
Register of approvals, permit holders etc., Commission to keep and allow inspection of etc. 72
Persons eligible to hold gaming permits, approval of 73
Applications for gaming permits 75
Fees and charges for gaming permits 76
Charging people to take part in permitted gaming 77
Approving premises for gaming 79
Renewing approvals, permits and certificates 82
Reports by permit holders, when required, content of etc. 83
Gaming permit may regulate use of proceeds from permitted gaming etc. 85
Approvals etc. may require security to be given 86
Revoking and amending permits and certain approvals 88
Revocation or amendment of current approval etc., Commission to report to Minister; appeals to Minister 90
No credit to be given to person for permitted gaming; cheques for permitted gaming 91
Division 2 — Social gambling
Division 4 — Permitted two‑up
Two‑up at country race meetings 95
Two‑up at other places 96
Conditions deemed in certain permits 98
Regulations for this Division 99
Division 5 — Gaming machines and other gaming equipment and its operation
Terms used 99
Unlawful gaming machines etc., use and possession of prohibited 101
Use of unlawful cash or tokens in gaming machines 104
Records about gaming equipment, powers to require keeping of 104
Prescribed gaming equipment, regulations about, certificates for sellers etc. of 105
Prescribed gaming equipment, sale etc. of 108
Application of s. 88 and 89 to concessionaires 108
Permitted gaming, restrictions on certain people in relation to 109
Certificates for s. 91 111
Offences in relation to s. 91 112
Division 5A — Remote gambling devices
93A. Terms used 112
93B. Offences relating to remote gambling devices 113
Division 6 — Permitted bingo
Terms used 113
Permits to conduct bingo; who may play permitted bingo 115
Multiple bingo 116
Simultaneous bingo 118
Conduct of bingo 119
Recovering moneys payable to Commission for bingo 119
Regulations as to bingo 120
Division 7 — Lotteries, and amusements with prizes etc.
Terms used 122
Certain lotteries unlawful 124
Permitted lotteries (deemed) 125
Permits for lotteries; duties of holders of permit for standard lottery 126
104AA. Commission may require bank guarantee for certain standard lotteries 129
104AB. Commission’s powers if bank guarantee provided 130
104AC. Commission may demand payment under bank guarantee 131
104AD. Commission must give notice in relation to bank guarantee 132
104AE. Commission to deal with money paid under bank guarantee 133
104AF. Return of bank guarantee 134
104A. Commission not liable for unpaid lottery prizes 134
104B. Licensing of suppliers of lottery tickets 134
104C. Licences of licensed suppliers, cancelling etc. 136
104D. Refusal or cancellation of supplier’s licence, Commission to report to Minister; appeals to Minister 137
104E. Suppliers to give Commission tickets if licence cancelled etc. 138
104F. Licensed suppliers to lodge returns and pay continuing lotteries levy 139
104G. Continuing lotteries levy, application of 141
104H. Exemption from levy 142
104I. Refund of levy 142
104J. Tickets, protecting and accounting for; estimating levy for lost etc. tickets 142
104K. Tickets may be given to Commission for destruction 144
104L. Offences by licensed suppliers 144
104M. Offences involving continuing lottery tickets 145
Continuing lotteries, use of vending machines to sell tickets for 146
Offences involving lotteries 147
Amusements with prizes, which are permitted 148
Some fund raising activities deemed permitted amusement with prizes 150
Regulations for this Division 151
Division 8 — Unclaimed winnings
109A. Terms used 152
109B. Unclaimed winnings, Commission to be notified of etc. 153
109C. Gaming Community Trust Account 154
109D. Gaming Community Trust 155
Part VA — Supervision of RWWA
109E. Gambling operations of RWWA, meaning of 157
109F. Supervision of RWWA by Commission etc. 157
109G. Directions to RWWA, Commission may give 158
109H. Contravention of directions 159
109I. Complaints about RWWA, Commission’s functions as to 160
109J. Reports on and inquiries into RWWA 160
109K. Report or inquiry under s. 109J, Minister’s powers following 162
Part VI — Ancillary
110A. Sports Wagering Account 165
110B. Racing Bets Levy Account 165
110C. Provision of information to Commission 167
110D. Delegation by CEO 167
Burswood Casino Agreement cl. 22, when Commission may decide questions as to 168
Transitional provisions as to Casino Control Act 1984 168
Regulations 169
Part 7 — Transitional provisions for Gambling Legislation Amendment Act 2024
Term used: commencement day 171
Application of Interpretation Act 1984 171
Infringement notices 171
Gaming Community Trust Account and Racing Bets Levy Account 172
Sports Wagering Account 172
Transitional regulations 173
Notes
Compilation table 174
Uncommenced provisions table 178
Other notes 178
Defined terms
Western Australia
Gaming and Wagering Commission Act 1987
An Act to constitute the Gaming and Wagering Commission of Western Australia, to consolidate and amend the law relating to gaming and wagering, and for related purposes.
[Long title amended: No. 35 of 2003 s. 121.]
This Act may be cited as the Gaming and Wagering Commission Act 1987.
[Section 1 amended: No. 35 of 2003 s. 122.]
The provisions of this Act shall come into operation on such day as is, or days as are respectively, fixed by proclamation.
(1) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears —
approved means approved by the Commission;
approved premises means premises approved under section 55;
authorised officer means —
(a) a member of the Commission; or
(b) the Chief Casino Officer, a government inspector or any other person appointed for the purposes of section 9(1) of the Casino Control Act 1984; or
(c) a person appointed under section 21(1); or
(d) a person to whom a duty or power is delegated under section 21(2), but only to the extent of the performance of the duty or the exercise of the power;
books includes any register or other record of information and accounts or accounting records, however compiled, recorded or stored, and also any document;
casino means a building or room in which games are conducted and played, or in which money counting, surveillance, storage and other activities related to the conduct and playing of games are carried on, pursuant to a casino gaming licence granted under section 21 of the Casino Control Act 1984;
casino complex agreement means agreement entered into by the Minister with a public company under section 19(1) of the Casino Control Act 1984;
CEO means the chief executive officer of the Department;
certificate means a certificate issued under Part V Division 5;
Commission means the Gaming and Wagering Commission of Western Australia established under section 4;
condition includes a term, requirement, limitation or restriction;
conduct includes promote, organise, manage or operate;
continuing lotteries levy means the levy imposed by the Gaming and Wagering Commission (Continuing Lotteries Levy) Act 2000;
credit card includes any card or other article intended for use by a person in obtaining cash, goods or services on credit;
debit card means a card or other article intended for use by a person in obtaining access to an account held by the person for the purpose of withdrawing or depositing cash or obtaining goods or services;
Department means the department of the Public Service principally assisting the Minister in the administration of this Act;
event has the meaning given in the Betting Control Act 1954 section 4(1);
gambling means gaming or wagering;
game of chance does not include any athletic game or sport but, with that exception, includes a pretended game of chance and a game or pretended game which includes a degree of chance, whether or not combined with a skill or degree of skill;
gaming, subject to section 39(2)(d) and (e), means the playing of a game of chance for winnings in money or money’s worth, whether any person playing the game is at risk of losing any money or money’s worth or not;
gaming equipment includes any machine used in the course of, or in relation to, gaming;
house, in relation to the interpretation of the term common gaming house, includes any premises;
imposed, in relation to a condition, includes implied by or prescribed under this Act;
instruments of gaming includes any cards, dice, board, kip, tables, tokens or other thing used in the course and for the purposes of gaming;
licence means a licence issued under Part V Division 7;
licensed supplier means a person licensed under Part V Division 7 as a licensed supplier;
lottery includes —
(a) any scheme or device for the sale, gift, disposal, or distribution of any property depending upon or to be determined by lot or chance, whether by the throwing or casting of dice, or the drawing of tickets, cards, lots, numbers or figures, or by means of a wheel, or otherwise howsoever; and
(aa) any scheme in which such property is, or is proposed to be, given and in which (at any stage) the person eligible to receive the property as a prize, or to participate further in the scheme, is or is to be determined by lot or chance (whether by the throwing or casting of dice, or the drawing of tickets, cards, lots, numbers or figures, or by means of a wheel, or otherwise howsoever) or by reference to any event or contingency dependent on chance, regardless of whether (at an earlier or a later stage) a test of knowledge or skill is or may be required to be passed by any person in order to qualify the person to receive a prize or to participate further in the scheme; and
(b) a scheme or device for the disposition of property of the kind commonly known as an art union, raffles, guessing competitions, and the like; and
(c) any disposition of property under any other scheme or competition which the public or any specified section of the public may be or is invited to enter, the nature or conduct of which (though skill on the part of the entrants or competitors purports to be required) is such as in the circumstances of the case to preclude the fair consideration of the answers of the entrants or competitors;
machine includes a telecommunications device and any other apparatus or device;
minor fund raising activity means an activity to which section 108 applies;
money includes any bank note, postal note, cheque, credit card, debit card, security or authority for money or the payment of money;
multiple bingo means bingo of the kind referred to in section 96(4);
occupier, used in relation to any premises, includes a person by whom or on whose behalf, and a company or other body of persons, corporate or unincorporate, by or on behalf of which, the premises are actually occupied, or who or which is the lessee or sub‑lessee, not being the owner, and an attorney, agent, or manager, who has the control, supervision, or management of the premises on behalf of the person, company or body;
owner, in relation to premises, includes a person who, or company or other body of persons, corporate or unincorporate, which, is, whether at law or in equity, entitled to the premises and also includes the attorney, agent or manager having control, supervision or management of the premises for that person, company, or body or who, on his or its behalf, receives the rent or is authorised to issue receipts for the rent;
permit or gaming permit means a permit issued under this Act;
permit holder means a person to whom or which a permit is issued;
permitted amusement with prizes means an amusement —
(a) which is provided under, and in all respects in accordance with, a permit; or
(b) to which section 107 or 108 applies;
permitted bingo means bingo conducted und
This is an opening excerpt, not the complete document.