Western Australia stands apart from every other state on one rule: poker machines are banned everywhere except the casino. You will not find a pokie in a WA pub or club – by law, they exist only at Crown Perth. That makes WA’s gambling landscape genuinely distinct.
Who regulates gambling in WA
The Gaming and Wagering Commission of WA, supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, is the state regulator for the casino, wagering and gaming. Online gambling, as everywhere, is handled federally by the ACMA under the Interactive Gambling Act.
The major laws
- Gaming and Wagering Commission Act 1987 – the main regulatory framework.
- Casino Control Act 1984 – licensing of Crown Perth.
- Betting Control Act 1954 – wagering and racing.
The no-pokies-outside-the-casino rule
WA’s defining feature is the absence of poker machines in pubs and clubs. Successive state governments have kept this ban in place, meaning the only place to play a pokie legally in Western Australia is Crown Perth (Burswood). For residents, it dramatically reduces everyday exposure to machines compared with a state like NSW.
Crown Perth
As in Victoria, WA’s casino has been through a royal commission, which found Crown unsuitable to hold its gaming licence. Rather than closing it, the regulator allowed Crown Perth to retain its licence under a program of remediation and tighter oversight.
What’s legal for WA players
- Legal: online betting with licensed Australian bookmakers on sports and racing; licensed lotteries and keno; casino play at Crown Perth and in-person TAB betting.
- Offshore only: online casino games, poker and live-dealer games, which no Australian operator may offer.
- Restricted: online in-play sports betting, which must be placed by phone or in person.
What this means for you
For a Western Australian, the rules match the national picture, with the local twist that land-based pokies exist only at the casino. Bet legally with licensed local bookmakers, play licensed lotteries and keno, and treat any online casino as offshore and unprotected. See our gambling laws overview and the player disputes page for more.
This page is general information for players, not legal advice. If gambling has stopped being fun, free and confidential support is available 24/7 on 1800 858 858 – see our responsible gambling page.
