Gaming and Racing

Gambling and racing activities in the Territory are controlled, supervised and regulated by the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission. The Commission is an independent statutory authority established under the Gambling and Racing Control Act 1999.

The responsibilities of the Commission incorporate the ongoing development and implementation of an integrated regulatory framework for all gambling activity in the ACT, including the casino, machine gaming, lotteries, racing (as provided in the Racing Act 1999), race and sports bookmaking and interactive gambling.

The Commission also monitors and researches the social effects of gambling and of problem gambling in the ACT.

In discharging its responsibilities, the Commission undertakes broad community consultation and performs its functions in a way that best promotes the public interest. It must, as far as practicable, promote consumer protection, minimise the possibility of criminal or unethical activity, and reduce the risks and costs to the community and individuals concerned, of problem gambling.

2010-11 Priorities

Strategic and operational issues to be pursued in 2010-11 include:

continuing to implement legislative changes to the various gaming laws as required;
enhancing the effectiveness of the Commission’s compliance program on a continual risk assessment basis;
enhancing the Commission’s community engagement strategy by building upon strategic links with its stakeholders;
developing and enhancing the Commission’s community education program relating to problem gambling;
liaising with ACT racing industry participants and other jurisdictions to facilitate the ongoing conduct of racing in the ACT in the context of legislative changes interstate; and
assessing the findings and recommendations of relevant gambling research projects in relation to compliance and policy issues.

Key Functions

The Commission conducts a comprehensive audit program to ensure that operators comply with all relevant gaming and wagering legislation. Through this audit program and its education and liaison with operators, the Commission aims to increase compliance with the various Acts. The level of reduction in the number of breaches detected per audit will indicate the success, or otherwise, of the Commission’s activities in increasing compliance with the legislation.

The Commission receives returns from operators along with payments for gambling related taxes, fees and fines. The Commission reconciles the returns against operators’ activities and issues variation advices if discrepancies are found. The Commission aims to reduce the number of variations required through its education and liaison with operators in the ACT. The level of reduction in the number of variations to returns will indicate the success, or otherwise, of the Commission’s activities in this area.