Published
Land-BasedCasinoLegal & Regulatory

Federal Group to fight against Tasmania’s plans to change gambling legislation

Australia’s oldest casino business is pushing back against the government’s plans to end its exclusive licence in Tasmania within two years, claiming the state has not properly notified it of the changes.

tasmania

Federal Group opened the country’s first legal casino in 1973, and for almost 50 years it has been the exclusive licence holder for Tasmania’s electronic gaming machines (EGM).

In the 2003 Deed between the Crown and Federal Group, there’s a Rolling Term that "ensures the company is provided with at least four years' notice of any changes to the arrangements." According to this agreement, the earliest date the new gaming arrangements can be applied is 1 July 2026, but if Tasmania’s Liberal government has its way, the group’s monopoly ends on 1 July 2023).

Federal Group commented: "We would urge the Tasmanian Government to remove the proposed amendment… and to end the 2003 Deed of Agreement at the conclusion of the rolling term period - therefore honouring the terms of the 2003 deed."

Federal Group further argues that not only the proposed amendments have the effect of revoking the deed, but they “remove the capacity for any compensation to be payable to a party”; according to a report, the group is predicted to lose almost $25m (USD $18m) per year (that is almost one-quarter of the $108m it made from gaming in the 2018-19 financial year).

The Tasmanian Government argued: "The legislation, which will be introduced into the Parliament later this year, implements the government’s policy which was clear that the new arrangements would start in 2023 and Federal Group supported this policy at the 2018 election."

Premium+ Connections
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
 
Premium Connections
Consultancy
Executive Profiles
Chicken Ranch Casino
The Responsible Gambling Affiliate Association (RGAA)
Catena Media
Gambling Commission
Follow Us
The most prestigious Awards in the industry are heading to the Philippines! The Global Gaming Awards Asia-Pacific will recognise and reward (as the name suggests) the strongest performers from the Asia-Pacific gaming industry across the previous 12 months.
This year's winners will be announced at a luncheon ceremony on Day 2 of SiGMA Asia, 4th June, in Manila.
The eleventh annual Global Gaming Awards Americas will recognize and reward the gaming industry's strongest performers across the previous 12 months. These are the most prestigious and trusted Awards in the industry and have gained respect amongst industry heavyweights, due to the strict rules and procedures put in place.

Facing Facts: Operator Q3s from across the globe

Gambling Insider compares Q3 2023 results from major gamblin...

Taking Stock: Operators and suppliers across the world

Sticking with our theme of gambling across the globe, Gambli...

CEO Special: Jade Entertainment and Gaming CEO Joe Pisano - down to earth

Jade Entertainment and Gaming CEO Joe Pisano speaks to Gambl...

CEO Special: Betfred CEO Joanne Whittaker - saying it as it is

Betfred CEO Joanne Whittaker joins Gambling Insider Editor T...