2010

THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

GAMING MACHINE (PROBLEM GAMBLING ASSISTANCE) AMENDMENT BILL 2010

GOVERNMENT AMENDMENTS 

SUPPLEMENTARY EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Presented by
Andrew Barr MLA
Minister for Gaming and Racing
Government Amendments to the Gaming Machine (Problem Gambling Assistance) Amendment Bill 2010

Supplementary Explanatory Statement

This explanatory statement relates to one Government amendment to the Gaming Machine (Problem Gambling Assistance) Amendment Bill 2010 as introduced in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

Overview of Amendment

The amendments amend the Bill by lowering the level of gaming machine licensees’ contribution to the mandatory problem gambling assistance fund from 0.75 per cent to 0.6 per cent.

The amendments also change the commencement date of the Bill from 1 January 2011 to 1 July 2011 to allow the Gambling and Racing Commission sufficient time to develop suitable arrangements to administer the new fund and provide notice to the club sector to adjust the increased payments.

Commencement Date

The amendments in the Bill will commence on the day after notification.

Outline of Provisions
Clause 1 – This clause changes the commencement date of the Bill from 1 January 2011 to 1 July 2011. 

Clause 2 – This clause changes the required percentage of gaming machine licensees’ contributions to the mandatory problem gambling assistance levy from 0.75 per cent to 0.6 per cent and provides that the Minister may change the required percentage through a disallowable instrument.

Any change to the rate of the levy is by disallowable instrument.  This will allow the Legislative Assembly an opportunity to debate and, if considered desirable, to disallow, any proposed change.

Clause 3 – This clause removes clause 5 of the Gaming Machine (Problem Gambling Assistance) Amendment Bill 2010.