• Common gaming house closed down after gambling law enforcement bust
• Organiser and two card dealers have gaming certificates revoked and are likely to face charges
• Total of more than $190,000 cash seized in three raids in the past 12 months

Gaming authorities and the WA Police Force have carried out a raid on a suspected illegal gaming house, shutting down a high-stakes poker event at an industrial premises in Wangara.

On 18 April 2024, authorised officers from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) executed a search warrant under the authority of the Gaming and Wagering Commission of WA (GWC), as part of the Cook Government's battle against illegal gambling activity in the community. The raid also involved WA Police Force Officers who provided support.

The GWC has since revoked the Gaming Operator Certificate of the event organiser as well as the two professional card dealers who were allegedly taking part. This certificate allowed them to act as authorised card and dice dealers, cashiers, and supervisors at permitted gaming functions.

Also, the organiser's company has had its Gaming Equipment Suppliers Certificate revoked which allowed for gaming equipment and dealer services to be supplied for these functions.

Eight players who attended the event have also been issued with infringement notices.

A professional-grade poker table, casino-style gaming chips and other instruments of gaming were seized in the raid, along with $2,800 in cash. However, chips worth $13,000 were allegedly being wagered on the night.

Police and Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia and WA's new GWC Chair Gary Dreibergs are warning industry participants to comply with the strict conditions of approved permits and certificates, and not to use them to conduct underground unlawful gaming operations for personal gain.

Gaming function permits are made available to not-for-profit community groups, charities, sporting clubs and other bodies seeking to run gaming-style fundraising activities, and a financial return statement must be lodged with the DLGSC following the function.

This latest bust was the third carried out in the past 12 months. In April 2023, an unlawful baccarat game was shut down at an alleged common gaming house operating from a Mt Lawley business premises. Three professional dealers had their casino employee licences cancelled and subsequently lost their jobs.

One of the four alleged organisers, a 35-year-old man, was charged with the unlawful possession of money by WA Police and was given a 12-month suspended jail sentence. The court ordered that $104,000 of his money which was seized in the raid be forfeited to the State.

A second search warrant was executed in December 2023 at a Cloverdale home where 16 people were present at the alleged common gaming house.

A total of more than $190,000 in cash has now been seized in all three raids.

Further information on racing, gaming and wagering laws in Western Australia is available on the DLGSC website: https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/racing-gaming-and-liquor/racing-gaming-and-wagering(link is external).

Comments attributed to Police and Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia:

"The Cook Government is committed to stamping out unlawful gaming operations in the community and these multi-agency enforcement actions show we are serious about ensuring compliance with WA's gaming and wagering laws.

"The consequences for organisers and dealers who get caught taking part in these unlawful gaming events can be considerable - with the loss of their licence comes a loss of their employment or business income, not to mention their reputations.

"Anyone thinking about organising a gaming event to make a profit, in violation of their licences or permits, as well as those attending as players, should think again and consider the outcome if gaming investigators and police come knocking on your door."

Comments attributed to Gaming and Wagering Commission Chair Gary Dreibergs:

"In my new role as GWC Chair, I am committed to enforcing the controls that are put in place by the Government to ensure that gaming and wagering in WA operates in a lawful and ethical way, and integrity and community confidence in the industry is maintained.

"The unlawful gaming events that are targeted by authorities are not harmless social poker nights, they can be well-organised underground events that may attract money launderers and people who have been banned from the casino for various reasons.

"I commend the actions carried out over the past 12 months to put a stop to these unlawful gaming activities and I assure you that these fine efforts by the three main agencies will continue under my leadership.

"Greater results can be achieved when agencies work together to share their resources and intelligence and undertake joint actions to bring those breaking the law to justice."