Western Australia modernises gambling laws with harsher penalties

February 6, 2025

Western Australia modernises gambling laws with harsher penalties

Western Australia has taken a decisive step towards modernising its gambling regulations by introducing harsher penalties and enhanced enforcement measures. These new laws are in response to the findings of the Perth Casino Royal Commission, which identified serious regulatory gaps. The new laws aim to deter non-compliance and illicit gambling activities.

Key changes in the gaming regulations by Cook government

The Perth Casino Royal Commission aimed to inquire into regulatory failures and demanded urgent reforms. The Commission found weaknesses in oversight, leading to calls for stronger penalties and enforcement mechanisms.

The newly passed legislation brings major reforms, including higher financial penalties for non-compliance, greater regulatory powers to investigate and penalise offences, and frameworks to prevent fraud and corruption within the industry.

Under the leadership of Premier Roger Cook, the government has prioritised these reforms to ensure consumer rights and integrity in the industry. The new measures align Western Australia with national policies regarding gambling, bringing uniformity to gambling policies across Australia.

Alignment with national policies

The Gaming and Wagering Commission (GWC) has been granted enhanced powers to conduct detailed investigations, impose tougher penalties on offenders, and increase regulatory control to prevent illegal gambling operations.

Western Australia’s updated laws implement significant national policies such as the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Gambling, which strengthens consumer protection, and the National Policy on Match-Fixing in Sport, which enhances the integrity of sports betting.

The new reforms impose higher penalties on individuals and entities involved in fraudulent practices and grant regulatory bodies enhanced powers to scrutinise suspicious betting patterns.

Minister Paul Papalia’s perspective

Minister for Racing and Gaming Paul Papalia stated that these reforms will ensure penalties are effective deterrents. He acknowledged that it would take time to implement all the recommendations of the Royal Commission but noted that progress is already being made.

Papalia said, “The law reform is designed to significantly expand the regulator’s compliance and enforcement powers and increase the penalties to ensure they deter non-compliance effectively. Addressing all the legislative reform recommendations of the Royal Commission will take time. Still, we are well advanced on implementing the wide-ranging changes required to establish a modern regulatory framework for casino operations and all gambling activities in WA.”

GWC Chair Gary Dreibergs’ response

Gary Dreibergs, chair of the GWC, welcomed the changes, stating that higher penalties would serve as a stronger deterrent against illegal activities. He also emphasised the importance of increased enforcement powers in tackling gambling-related crime.

Dreibergs commented, “The substantial increase in penalties will act as a more effective deterrent and a more appropriate punishment for lawbreakers who may regard current lower penalties as an acceptable risk when considering the profits that can be made from subverting the laws. The extra powers for the GWC will help to significantly boost our ability to carry out successful investigations and prosecutions to stamp out illegal activity, which attracts money launderers and organised crime gangs.”

Western Australia’s reforms bring its gaming laws closer to those in states like Victoria and New South Wales, where stricter regulatory measures have existed for some time.

The public has largely supported the reforms necessary to prevent exploitative practices. While acknowledging the need for stronger oversight, industry stakeholders have expressed concerns about compliance costs and operational changes.