Australian Capital Territory
Casino Control (Poker - Canberra Poker) Approval 2006 (No 2)
Notifiable Instrument NI2006–170
made under the  
Casino Control Act 2006, section 96 (Rules for Authorised Games)

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

The Casino Control Act 2006 (the Act) regulates the operation of the casino in the Territory.  The Act commenced on 1 May 2006 and replaced the Casino Control Act 1988.

Section 95 of the Act enables the casino licensee to apply in writing to the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission (the Commission) for a declaration that a game is an authorised game.  A declaration under section 95 of the Act is a notifiable instrument.

Section 96 of the Act enables the casino licensee to apply in writing to the Commission for approval of the rules for an authorised game.  An application under this provision must be approved or refused and an approval is a notifiable instrument.

The Commission declared Poker - Canberra Poker an authorised game under section 95 of the Act after receiving an application from the casino licensee (refer Notifiable Instrument NI2006-145).  The Commission also approved a set of rules for the authorised game of Poker – Canberra Poker after receiving an application pursuant to section 96 of the Act from the casino licensee (refer Notifiable Instrument NI2006-151).  These two instruments became effective with the commencement of the Act on 1 May 2006.

The Commission recently received a new application from the casino licensee indicating it wishes to offer an improved version of Poker – Canberra Poker.  The differences between the rules appearing at the schedule to this instrument and those appearing in Notifiable Instrument NI2006-151 revolve around Rule 10.

Rule 10 of Notifiable Instrument NI2006-151 details the “Boomerang Jackpot” option which comprises a progressive jackpot made up of optional $1 additional bets made by players of Poker – Canberra Poker.  The entire jackpot consists of player’s money and the payouts vary depending upon the number and timing of winning wagers.

According to the new rules in this instrument, the “Boomerang Jackpot” is replaced with the “Boomerang Prize”.  The “Boomerang Prize” is a set amount paid entirely from the casino licensee’s revenue and regardless of the numbers of winners, they each will receive a pre-determined amount.  As a consequence, calculations related to the size of the “Boomerang Prize” pool are no longer required and the rules do not need to refer to non-winning Boomerang wagers.  Players are still required to make the optional $1 additional bet to be eligible for a “Boomerang Prize”.

By changing the funding arrangements in relation to the “Boomerang Prize”, the casino licensee is ensuring the prize level and player interest is maintained.  Under the “Boomerang Jackpot” arrangements detailed at Notifiable Instrument NI2006-151, the level of the jackpot reverts to the reserve of $10,000 when the jackpot is won and experience has shown that player interest wanes significantly until such time as the jackpot grows again.  These difficulties are avoided under the new rules.

Accordingly, Rule 10.2 now reads “The casino operator shall display the Boomerang Prize wager on a sign at or near the table” and Rule 10.5 has been deleted.  Rule 11 has been amended to reflect the changes to the “Boomerang Prize” payouts and Rule 17.4(g) has been included in the tournament terms and conditions.  Rule 17.18 has been deleted as it is already covered by Rule 17.4(g).