Minimum bet levels to be abolished

23/4/04
Minimum bet levels lodged via telephone or the Internet with Western Australian bookmakers are to be abolished.
Racing and Gaming Minister Nick Griffiths said today that legislation to remove the limits was now being prepared.
This was expected to be implemented on July 1, to coincide with similar legislation to remove the limits in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
The decision to scrap the minimum bookmaker telephone and Internet betting limit follows a review by Racing and Wagering Western Australia.
RWWA was asked by Mr Griffiths to examine whether or not the staged reduction in limits had adversely affected the WA racing industry's revenues and the appropriateness of removing the limits entirely.
"RWWA reported that the reduction in the limits had not produced a noticeable negative impact on the funding available to the State's racing industry and, accordingly, has indicated that it has no objection to the removal of the limits completely," Mr Griffiths said.
On April 1, 2003, he announced the minimum bet would be cut from $200 to $100 for metropolitan betting and from $100 to $50 for country betting.
Mr Griffiths said the removal of minimum bet levels was part of a national plan to achieve consistency in all areas of bookmakers' operations.
He said the State Government had supported the bookmaking industry by legislating to allow fielders to corporatise and also to operate at metropolitan courses, even though there was no race meeting taking place there.
Minister's Office - 9222 8950