The Gaming Control Act 1993
The Gaming Control Act 1993 provides the legislative framework for the licensing and regulation of gambling in Tasmania. Activities regulated by the Act include gaming machines and keno, casino gaming, totalizator wagering, sports betting, interactive gaming and wagering, foreign games permits and minor gaming. A key purpose of the Act is to maintain the integrity of gambling in Tasmania. The Act establishes the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission and provides for the taxation of regulated gambling 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.
On 1 September 2017, new community interest provisions were incorporated in the Gaming Control Act 1993 requiring all applications for an Licenced Premises Gaming licence at a hotel or club premises that have not previously operated EGMs, or a hotel or club premises that has not operated EGMs in the in the six months period to the application, to be accompanied by a community interest submission.
The amendments stipulate that the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission must consider community interest matters when deciding whether to grant a LPGL with authority to possess EGMs. These matters are prescribed in the Gaming Control Regulations 2014.
The Gaming Control Regulations 2014
The Gaming Control Regulations 2014 include the costs under the Act, such as for licence applications and renewals, and further requirements for the operation of a betting exchange. The regulations also include community interest matters the Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission must consider when deciding whether to grant a Licensed Premises Gaming Licence with authority to possess electronic gaming machines.
Gaming Control (Infringement Notices) Regulations 2011
The Gaming Control (Infringement Notices) Regulations 2011 allow Tasmania Police to issue infringement notices to persons that commit certain offences under the Act and to prescribe penalties that correspond to the level of infringement notice. This Fact Sheet provides a summary of the offences where infringement notices can now be issued and the penalties that apply.
The Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission Rules
The Gaming Control Act 1993 allows the Commission to make Rules for the conduct of all forms of gambling in Tasmania. The Rules impose specific requirements on gambling operators, including requirements for gaming machine areas, when gambling may occur, the entry of patrons, provision of cash to patrons, dispute resolution, requirements for 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 Liquor and 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.