Liquor Licensing Act 1990

The Liquor Licensing Act 1990 regulates the sale of liquor in Tasmania. The Act has a strong harm minimisation focus, prohibiting the sale of liquor except as authorised by a licence, permit or general liquor exemption. It prescribes certain qualifications and public interest considerations before an authority to sell liquor may be granted. It also includes provisions prohibiting the sale of liquor to young people and to persons appearing to be drunk, as well as a requirement that licences must not be granted in connection with the activities of a supermarket. It establishes the Commissioner for Licensing and a Licensing Board.

General Liquor Exemptions

General liquor exemptions allow the Licensing Board to authorise the sale of liquor under certain conditions without the need for a licence or permit. The sale of liquor is not authorised unless the conditions are met.

Liquor Regulations

The Liquor and Accommodation Regulations 2003 prescribe further requirements for club and special licences and on, off and special permits. The Liquor Licensing (Fees) Regulations 2005 prescribe the costs for liquor licences and permits.

Gaming Control Act 1993

The Gaming Control Act 1993 provides the legislative framework for the licensing and regulation of gaming in Tasmania. Activities regulated by the Act include gaming machines and keno, casino gaming, interactive gaming and wagering, foreign games permits and minor gaming. A key purpose of the Act is to maintain the integrity of gaming in Tasmania. The Act establishes the Tasmanian Gaming Commission and provides for the taxation of regulated gaming activities.

A Deed of Agreement between the State of Tasmania and Federal Hotels Pty Ltd, which grants exclusive rights to Federal Hotels to conduct casino operations and operate keno and gaming machines in Tasmania until 30 June 2018, is set out in Schedule 1 of the Act.

The Act has a strong harm minimisation focus, establishing the Tasmanian Gambling Exclusions Scheme, which allows individuals experiencing gambling problems to be excluded from gambling.

The Act was amended in December 2005 to allow for some miscellaneous amendments and for the licensing and regulation of betting exchanges to operate under a Tasmanian gaming licence.

Gaming Control Regulations 2004

The Gaming Control Regulations 2004 include the costs under the Act, such as for licence applications and renewals, and further requirements for the operation of a betting exchange.

Gaming Standards

The Act allows the Commission to apply standards in relation to the conduct of gaming. All gaming systems, machines and games are tested against specific technical requirements and standards prior to being approved for use in Tasmania.

The Gaming Machine National Standard Version 8.0 was adopted in Tasmania on 1 August 2005 and sets the technical requirements for gaming machines common to all Australian and New Zealand jurisdictions.

The Internet Gaming Technical Requirements Version 3.0 is applied to evaluate internet gaming systems, games and communications interfaces.

The Uniform Standards for the Regulation of Interactive Gambling (the AUS Model) applies harm minimisation, player protection, operator probity, system integrity and game fairness principles to the delivery of gaming by interactive technology.

Tasmanian Gaming Commission Rules

The Gaming Control Act 1993 allows the Commission to make Rules for the conduct of gaming in licensed premises for which there is a licensed premises gaming licence in force. The Rules include requirements for gaming machine areas, when gaming may occur, the entry of patrons, provision of cash to patrons, dispute resolution, requirements for gaming employees and various other operating requirements.

TT-Line Gaming Act 1993

Gaming operations on board the Spirit of Tasmania I and II vessels are regulated by the TT-Line Gaming Act 1993. Reciprocal Victorian legislation regulates gaming aboard the two vessels while the vessels operate in Victorian waters. The Tasmanian Gaming Commission is responsible for the licensing and regulation of gaming on those vessels. The licence to conduct gaming operations is held by the TT-Line Company Pty Ltd. Admirals Casino Pty Ltd holds the franchise for the management of gaming aboard the vessels. Gaming activities aboard the two vessels is presently limited to gaming machines.