ACT GAMBLING AND RACING COMMISSION

What ACT GAMBLING AND RACING COMMISSION does

The ACT Gambling and Racing Commission is an independent statutory authority of the Australian Capital Territory Government, established in 1999 under section 5 of the Gambling and Racing Control Act 1999. It is the sole regulator of gambling and racing activities within the ACT, overseeing casinos, gaming machines, lotteries, race and sports bookmaking, interactive gambling, charitable gambling, and unlawful gambling enforcement. The Commission's primary stakeholders are the ACT Government (which it advises and for which it collects taxes and fees), licensed gambling operators in clubs, hotels, and the single ACT casino (Aquis Canberra Pty Ltd), and the broader ACT community, which it serves through harm prevention, self-exclusion, and education programs.

The Commission's core technology stack includes a CCTV surveillance system providing high-quality coverage of casino gaming operations and back-of-house locations, an exclusion database for tracking self-exclusion records and gambling incident registers, and trading scheme information systems for gaming machine authorisations. It operates a Code of Practice Compliance framework spanning gaming machines, casino, bookmaking, interactive gambling, and lotteries, and supports a Gambling Contact Officer (GCO) training program for venue staff. Research is conducted through partnerships with the ANU Centre for Gambling Research, CQUniversity (which ran the 2024 ACT Gambling Survey of over 10,000 adult Canberrans), and Gambling Research Australia.

The Commission does not generate commercial revenue. Its funding derives from ACT Government appropriations, while it separately administers the collection of taxes, fees, and charges from gambling licensees under gaming laws, including a Community Contribution Reform Scheme requiring clubs to contribute 8.8% of net gaming machine revenue. Operational services are delivered through an MOU with Access Canberra (City and Environment Directorate), most recently renegotiated for a three-year term effective 1 July 2026. The organisation is very small (approximately five employees) and is governed by a board of five commissioners.

Name

ACT GAMBLING AND RACING COMMISSION

Legal name

ACT Gambling and Racing Commission

Website

https://gamblingandracing.act.gov.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The ACT Gambling and Racing Commission is the sole statutory regulator of gambling and racing activities in the Australian Capital Territory, established in 1999 under the Gambling and Racing Control Act 1999, serving the ACT Government, licensed operators, and the community through licensing, compliance, tax collection, and harm-prevention programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Gambling Regulation

NAICS

Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (92615)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Gambling, Alcohol & Controlled Substances Regulators (BPAIAOAN)

Keywords

• Gambling regulation
• Casino licensing
• Gaming machine regulation
• Harm prevention services
• Racing and wagering oversight

Headquarters

HQ city

Canberra

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tax Collection: Collecting taxes, fees and charges imposed or authorised by or under gaming laws

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The ACT Gambling and Racing Commission is the independent statutory regulator for gambling and racing in the Australian Capital Territory, established under the Gambling and Racing Control Act 1999. It issues and administers licences for casinos, gaming machines, lotteries, race and sports bookmakers, interactive gambling, and charitable gambling; monitors compliance with the Code of Practice; investigates complaints and unlawful gambling; and collects taxes, fees, and charges under gaming laws. It also delivers gambling harm prevention programs including the self-exclusion scheme, Gambling Contact Officer training, school education, and the Community Contribution Reform Scheme, and commissions research such as the ACT Gambling Survey.

Product overview

The ACT Gambling and Racing Commission is an independent regulatory body established under the Gambling and Racing Control Act 1999 that oversees and regulates gambling and racing activities in the Australian Capital Territory. Rather than offering a commercial product, the Commission provides a comprehensive suite of regulatory services including gaming machine regulation, casino licensing, lotteries oversight, racing and wagering regulation, and charitable gambling compliance. The Commission's regulatory framework is underpinned by the Code of Practice which establishes minimum standards for all gambling providers. Beyond compliance, the Commission administers gambling harm prevention programs including the self-exclusion scheme, Gambling Contact Officer training, and community contribution schemes requiring industry to fund harm prevention and community purposes. The Commission also conducts periodic gambling surveys and commissions research through partnerships with universities to inform evidence-based policy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Gaming Machines Regulation Regulation and licensing of gaming machines in the ACT under the Gaming Machine Act 2004, Gaming Machine Regulations 2004, and the Gambling and Racing Control (Code of Practice) Regulation 2002. Service is provided to gaming machine licensees operating in clubs and hotels across the ACT.
• Casino Regulation Regulation and licensing of casino operations within the ACT under the Casino Control Act 2006, Casino Control Regulation 2006, and the Gambling and Racing Control (Code of Practice) Regulation 2002. The sole licensed casino is operated by Aquis Canberra Pty Ltd at 21 Binara Street, Civic, under licence issued on 23 December 2014.
• Lotteries Regulation Oversight and regulation of lotteries, raffles, trade promotions, housie, Calcutta, card jackpot raffles, lucky envelopes, exempt lotteries, and unclaimed public lottery prizes in the ACT. Provided to lottery operators, charities, and organisations conducting trade promotions and raffles.
• Code of Practice Compliance Establishes minimum standards gambling providers must meet when providing gambling products. Covers gaming machine licensees, casino, race and sports bookmaking licensees, interactive gambling, and lottery providers in the ACT.
• Racing and Wagering Regulation Regulation of race bookmakers, sports bookmaking, and wagering activities in the ACT under the Race and Sports Bookmaking Act 2001 and Racing Act 1999. Provided to licensed race and sports bookmakers and wagering operators.
• Automatic Mutual Recognition Allows workers holding occupational registration or licence in one Australian State or Territory to work in the ACT for gaming technician, race bookmaker/agent, sports bookmaker agent, and casino employee roles.
• Community Contribution Reform Scheme Mandatory community contribution scheme requiring ACT clubs to contribute 8.8% of net gaming machine revenue (NGMR) and hotels to contribute 0.8% of CCR, with funds directed to gambling harm prevention and community purposes. Administered to licensed gaming machine venues.
• Gambling Harm Prevention Programs Prevention and reduction of gambling harm initiatives including education, counselling services, community consultation, and funding for harm prevention activities. Provided to the ACT community and stakeholders.
• Gambling Contact Officer (GCO) Program Training and support program for ACT venue staff to recognise and respond to signs of gambling harm among patrons. Provided to licensed gambling venues.
• Self-Exclusion Scheme Program allowing individuals to exclude themselves from gambling venues in the ACT, with support services provided through [email protected] and the Gambling Support Service on 1800 858 858.
• Charitable Gambling Regulation Oversight of charitable gambling activities in the ACT including raffles, housie, Calcutta, and card jackpot raffles. Provided to charitable and community organisations.
• Unlawful Gambling Enforcement Investigation and enforcement activities related to unlawful gambling in the ACT under the Unlawful Gambling Act 2009. Provided to the ACT community and law enforcement partners.
• Research Program Commissioning and sourcing of gambling research through the ANU Centre for Gambling Research, Gambling Research Australia membership, funded projects, and National Association for Gambling Studies membership. Supports evidence-based policy on gambling harm in the ACT.
• ACT Gambling Survey Periodic gambling prevalence survey conducted approximately every 5 years to monitor social and economic impacts of gambling in the ACT. The latest survey was conducted in 2024 by CQUniversity, surveying over 10,000 randomly selected adult Canberrans via mobile phone across August and September 2024.
• Gambling and Racing Commission Advisory Committee Advisory committee representing ACT community stakeholders that provides views, opinions, and recommendations to support Commission functions, with emphasis on the prevention and minimisation of gambling harm. Includes broad representation from industry, health services, academia, and the not-for-profit sector.

Quantifiable outcome

• Processing of licensing applications and written enquiries within defined timeframes
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Access Canberra (City and Environment Directorate)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016First MOU signed in 2016, renegotiated in 2025-26. MOU outlines services Access Canberra provides to the Commission. Current MOU effective 1 July 2026 for a three-year term. Access Canberra provides administrative and operational support services.
• ANU Centre for Gambling ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch centre established by the Commission and the Australian National University. Conducts gambling research including surveys, harm studies, and longitudinal analysis of gambling behaviours and harms.
• Gambling Research AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational research body of which the Commission is a member. Collaborates on gambling research initiatives across Australian jurisdictions.
• National Association for Gambling Studies (NAGS)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association for gambling researchers of which the Commission holds membership. Facilitates knowledge sharing and collaboration in gambling research.
• CQUniversity (Central Queensland University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducted the 2024 ACT Gambling Survey on behalf of the Commission. Over 10,000 randomly selected adult Canberrans were interviewed via mobile phone across August and September 2024.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• ANU Centre for Gambling Research: Research centre co-established with the Commission to study gambling behaviour and harm. A peer as a research and evidence producer, jointly serving the Commission's policy and harm-prevention mandate.
• Gambling Research Australia: National collaborative research body of which the Commission is a member. Relevant as a peer in producing gambling harm evidence base that underpins regulatory policy across Australian jurisdictions.

Broad incumbents

• UK Gambling Commission: UK national gambling regulator covering online and remote gambling, casinos, betting and lotteries. Comparable as a regulator with a strong harm-prevention and online-gambling focus, but operating at national scale across many verticals.

Direct peers

• Consumer and Business Services (South Australia): South Australian regulator that administers the Lotteries Act, Gaming Machines Act and gambling codes of practice. Comparable as a state-level gambling licensing and compliance body with a similar harm-minimisation mandate.
• Northern Territory Racing Commission: NT regulator covering racing and wagering activities under Northern Territory legislation. Comparable racing/wagering regulatory function despite the NT's distinctive in-boundary online wagering licensing model.
• Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR): Victoria's independent gambling and liquor regulator, covering casino (Crown Melbourne), gaming machines, wagering and lotteries. Closely analogous function and governance model (independent statutory authority) to the ACT Commission.
• Liquor & Gaming NSW: NSW's gambling and liquor regulator, the largest state-level gambling regulator in Australia. Directly comparable as a peer state regulator covering gaming machines, wagering, casino and harm prevention with a similar oversight remit scaled to NSW.
• Queensland Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR): Queensland's gambling regulator responsible for licensing, compliance and harm minimisation across gaming machines, casinos and wagering. Same regulatory remit as the ACT Commission in a much larger jurisdiction.
• Tasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission: Tasmania's independent gambling regulator overseeing casinos, gaming and wagering. Highly comparable as a small-jurisdiction peer statutory authority with a national-relevance profile.

Regional players

• Western Australia Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (Gaming and Racing): WA's state gambling and racing regulator; operates in the unique WA environment where the casino operates under restricted gaming. Comparable as a state peer but serves a different policy environment (limited gaming machines).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/act-gambling-and-racing-commission

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ACT GAMBLING AND RACING COMMISSION