Western Australia Race Wagering

The Department of Racing, Gaming, and Liquor regulates Western Australia's betting and gaming. RWWA (Racing and Wagering Western Australia) was established to develop, promote and ensure the integrity of the racing industry.

The first recorded thoroughbred race in Western Australia was held in October 1833. Harness racing didn’t make an appearance until shortly after the turn of the century.

Upon the recommendation of a 1959 Gambling Royal Commission, the Wagering and the Totalisator Agency Board of Western Australia (WATAB) was established to become a unifying and organizing entity for off-course wagering.

In 1971, the popularity of greyhound racing was gaining momentum, and by 1972, the Greyhound Racing Control Act was passed, which included the formation of the Greyhound Racing Control Board. About 10 years later in 1981, the Western Australian Greyhound Racing Association Act was passed, creating the Western Australian Greyhound Racing Association (WAGRA).

Between 2000 and 2003, the government reviewed the entire racing industry and produced the Turner Report. The most significant finding from the report was a recommendation to consolidate into one controlling authority the off-course betting operations of the Wagering and the Totalisator Agency Board of Western Australia (WATAB) with the principal club responsibilities of the Western Australian Turf Club, Western Australian Trotting Association and Western Australian Greyhound Racing Authority.

In order to make the consolidation, Parliament passed the following Acts: Racing and Wagering Western Australia Act 2003, Racing and Gambling Legislation Amendment and Repeal Act 2003, Racing Restriction Act 2003, and Racing and Wagering Western Australia Tax Act 2003.

On 1 August 2003, and in accordance with the Turner Report, the RWWA was formed as the one controlling authority for racing.