New laws have been introduced into the WA parliament to appoint an independent chair to the state’s casino regulator, as well as to introduce new powers and penalties to restore integrity in the sector.
In a statement on Wednesday, racing and gaming minister Tony Buti said the critical legislation addressed several recommendations from the final report of the Perth Casino Royal Commission.
“Greater integrity is not optional — once this legislation has passed, we will progress with further reforms to bring the state’s other casino laws into the 21st century,” Buti said, noting the next steps in the multi-staged response to the royal commission included modernising the regulatory framework for a new act to replace the Casino Control Act 1984.
The legislation proposes a new independent monitor be installed to oversee casino remediation for the next two years, the appointment of an independent chair for the regulator, and an increase in fines of up to $100 million.
Prior to the introduction of the Casino Legislation Amendment (Burswood Casino) Bill 2022, the maximum fine for non-compliance was $100,000.
“We will also be able to recoup the cost of the independent monitor from the casino operator under provisions within the Bill,” Buti said.
Once enacted, the new laws will also permit WA’s racing and gaming minister and the Gaming and Wagering Commission to commence what is known as a ‘remediation process’ from within a casino.
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