Australia at a Glance

Gaming License: Yes

Non-Gaming License: Yes

Vendor License Exemptions Available: Yes

Temporary License: Yes

Ownership Disclosure Threshold: 5%

Institutional Investor Waiver: Contact Agency

Fees: AUD$100 - AUD$1,000

State Gaming Lab: Contact Agency

Term of License: Contact Agency

Deadline to Reapply: Contact
Agency

Political Contribution Restrictions: No

Australia Gaming Supplier Regulatory Overview

By Regulatory Management Counselors, P.C.

Gaming activities in Australia are regulated at the state and territorial level with each locality maintaining a gaming commission that establishes licensing and operational standards. The following is meant to provide an overview of the Australian system as a whole and will provide a view of regulatory requirements typical of Australian jurisdictions.

Each Australian state allows gaming activity in regulated casinos and other venues. As of June 2007, there were over 200,000 electronic gaming machines in the country with over 11,000 of those machines operating on casino properties.¹

Supplier Licensing Requirements

Manufacturers, suppliers, and importers of gaming equipment are regulated by the state gaming commission. Although each state maintains separate licensing criteria, the supplier’s licensing process is similar across the country. The following is a general overview of these requirements.

Duration and Fees

The duration of each license or similar authorization to conduct business with a gaming facility will vary by individual jurisdiction. Application and licensing fees will range from A$100 to A$1,000.

Required Documents and Information

In order to complete the appropriate supplier license applications, the following information may be necessary:

1. Basic identity information;
2. Company history;
3. Other names used;
4. List of officer and directors;
5. List of shareholders;
6. Positions of trust;
7. Identity of accountants;
8. List of jurisdictions where company has conducted business;
9. Legal and regulatory history;
10. Financial history; and
11. Gaming license history.

In order to complete the appropriate supplier license applications, the following documents are necessary:

1. Business Name Certificate;
2. Australian Securities and Investments Commission filings;
3. Certified Statement of Company Records;
4. Organizational chart;
5. Management structure chart;
6. List and description of shareholders, over 5 percent interest;
7. Certificate of Incorporation;
8. Financial statements;
9. Tax returns;
10. Loan/lease agreements;
11. List of gaming licenses held in other jurisdictions; and
12. Annual reports.

Key Persons Licensing Requirements

Some jurisdictions, in addition to requiring licensure of the corporate entity, require that key persons (i.e., officers and directors) submit an application for suitability in connection with the corporate application.

Duration and Fees

The duration of each license or similar authorization to conduct business with a gaming facility will vary by individual jurisdiction. Application and licensing fees will range from A$100 to A$1,000.

Required Documents and Information

The following information may be necessary to complete personal applications submitted in connection with a corporate filing:

1. Basic identity information;
2. Employment history;
3. Family relationships;
4. Firearm ownership information;
5. Professional or occupational licensure;
6. Statement of assets and liabilities; and
7. Sources of income.

The following documents may be necessary to complete the personal applications submitted in connection with a corporate filing:

1. Photograph;
2. Birth certificate;
3. Driver’s license;
4. Marriage certificates;
5. Passport;
6. Individual tax returns;
7. Military discharge papers;
8. Police clearances from the applicant’s home jurisdiction; and
9. List of personal references.

Disclosure and Reporting Requirements

Applicants should note that any circumstance that creates a material change in the information reported in a gaming license application should be reported to the gaming commission while the application is pending and after issuance of the license.

Gaming Technology Standards

Each state or territory puts forth technical standards for certain gaming equipment in order to insure the integrity of play. These standards may include the rules and type of games to be played, the display of an identification number and rules on gaming machines, the artwork on a machine, standards for drop boxes, and the types of security devices to be attached to or used in conjunction with a piece of gaming equipment.² In addition, some jurisdictions may have specific requirements regarding progressive jackpots and the sharing of jackpots for slot machines.³

¹'Electronic Gaming Machine Distribution in Australia,' Australia Casino Association, 2007.
²See Casino Control Act of 1982 (Qld), s. 62.
³See Casino Control Regulation of 1999 (Qld), s. 40-43.

Gaming industry advisor Regulatory Management Counselors, P.C. authored this article. Visit the Gaming Advisors section of this website to find out more about gaming licensing and compliance advisors.