WA is the only jurisdiction in Australia that restricts electronic gambling machines to the casino. The WA Government is currently considering legislation to privatise the TAB, the state-owned betting agency. As part of the sale, the legislation will permit simulated racing machines to be placed in TABs in WA. Simulated racing is defined in the proposed legislation as a game that uses animated images of a horse or greyhound race and randomly generates winners. The machines are a form of electronic gambling.

The Bill has already passed the Legislative Assembly. It will be discussed in the Legislative Council when Parliament resumes in August.

To highlight this issue and continue to call for a change to the legislation PHAA (WA Branch), Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS), Anglicare WA and PHAIWA are holding a ‘Public forum on electronic gambling and harm’. We encourage you to attend this event and share this with your friends and colleagues.