NEWS
17 March 2023
Asia bulletin: Western Australian Government to implement limit on EGM bets to AU$10
By Gambling Insider

According to the Gaming and Wagering Commission (GWC), by December 2025, pre-set weekly time limitations, pre-set weekly loss limits and carded play (debit or credit) at all machines will also come into effect. 

This comes after the Perth Casino Royal Commission investigated claims of misconduct at Crown Perth, and found that the legislation governing the casino "is not fit for purpose and requires replacement."

The Western Australian Government supports 49 of the 59 new proposals made by the commission, while eight are supported "in principle" and one is supported "in part."

According to the new suggestions, players should be required to take a 15-minute break after three hours of nonstop EGM play, and they should be limited to 12 hours of play per day and a total of 28 hours per week. For EGMs, carded play is also required.

Perth Casino will also be required to gather player information such as buy-in and buy-out times and amounts, player turnover, player losses and wins, gambling products and other data that the GWC "reasonably requires" for anti-money laundering and responsible gaming purposes.

To become a member of the casino's Pearl Room, gamblers must also demonstrate their financial stability.

According to the GWC’s request, the 1984 Casino Regulation Act should be "replaced by a new statute and a revised Gaming and Wagering Commission Act (if necessary)."

Casino licences would also be forced to undergo periodic reviews by the regulator "at least every five years, with the review to be tabled in Parliament."

The new recommendations also prohibit junkets, "unless permitted and specifically licensed by the regulator," among other recommendations.