Significant progress is being made by the Western Australian (WA) government to strengthen oversight of the gambling industry. WA has increased enforcement authorities and penalties as part of a comprehensive legislation overhaul to better enforce existing laws and fight unlawful gambling. The changes are in response to suggestions made by the Perth Casino Royal Commission, which found that new laws were required to handle contemporary issues.
Key Amendments to Gambling Laws
The new legislation aims to address gaps highlighted by the Commission and enforce stricter compliance measures. It includes substantial increases in penalties for failure to follow gambling regulations or the directives issued by the Gaming and Wagering Commission (GWC). The changes are expected to act as a stronger deterrent to violators, particularly in cases where lower penalties were previously seen as an acceptable risk for those breaking the law.
Gary Dreibergs, Chair of the Gaming and Wagering Commission, expressed his support for the reforms. He said, “I welcome the reforms which will greatly assist the Gaming and Wagering Commission in our important task to enforce gambling laws and disrupt illegal gambling in WA.”
Dreibergs further emphasized the importance of the new measures, noting that they would significantly bolster the GWC’s ability to investigate and prosecute illegal gambling activities. “The substantial increase in penalties will act as a more effective deterrent and a more appropriate punishment for law breakers who may regard current lower penalties as an acceptable risk when they consider the profits that can be made from subverting the laws,” he added.
The reforms are designed to tackle illegal gambling activities, which often attract money launderers and organized crime groups, helping to secure WA’s gambling sector from corruption and unlawful practices.
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