The WA State Government has requested an Independent Review of Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) to ensure the racing industry has a framework for long-term financial sustainability.
Review Terms of Reference
The Review Terms of Reference includes the objectives, in-scope and out-of-scope issues:
The Objectives of the Review are to:
- Financial Sustainability – Identify a broad and balanced set of revenue-enhancing and cost-management options to support RWWA’s long-term financial sustainability.
- Governance and Regulatory Alignment – Review RWWA’s governance arrangements, legislative framework, and regulatory compliance activities to ensure alignment with government and community expectations.
- Impact Assessment – Assess the potential impact of financial and governance changes on metropolitan and regional racing industries, associated events, and the broader community.
In-scope issues:
In scope issues include:
- Revenue – Review the composition of RWWA’s revenue base, how it has changed over recent years, and opportunities to grow and diversity income. Including, but not limited to:
- WA TAB wagering revenue – Analysis of the TAB’s operational outlook (opportunities and challenges), including declining parimutuel wagering revenues, and the shift by consumers towards to online and sports betting.
- Point of Consumption Betting Tax (POC Tax) – Analysis of factors impacting POC tax collections and distributions, and options to increase RWWA’s POC Tax income, either by adjusting the POC tax rate, distribution formula, or both.
- Racing Bets Levy- Assessing sustainability and key challenges affecting the Bets Levy.
- Revenue Diversification – Consider options to diversify RWWA’s revenue streams.
- Expenditure – Review of operational and capital expenditure to identify opportunities to adjust the level and/or composition of spending and ensure spending flexibility to respond to market changes.
- Balance Sheet – Assess the contribution RWWA’s assets (including assets supported by RWWA) make to achieving the organisation’s core objectives.
- Governance – Review RWWA’s current governance and business practices in relation to:
- Meeting legislative obligations under the Racing and Wagering Western Australia Act 2003 (RWWA Act).
- Alignment with government objectives and community expectations.
- Effectiveness of performance metrics (e.g. efficiency KPls) in supporting sustainability and accountability.
- Potential benefits of aligning the RWWA Act with the Government Trading Enterprises Act 2023.
Out of scope issues:
The Review will also not address operational issues such as:
- Participant safety, including personal protective equipment for jockeys (as this is an industry issue most appropriately addressed by the national peak body).
- Workplace health and safety (which is an industry issue and currently being examined by the WorkSafe team at LGIRS).
- Animal welfare, traceability and related reporting of injuries and deaths.
Review Discussion Paper
The Review has released a Discussion Paper with information about RWWA, data of racing in WA, and includes the following questions under 4 themes to structure submissions to the Review:
Financial sustainability – Identify a broad and balanced set of revenue-enhancing and cost-management options to support RWWA’s long-term financial sustainability.
- What industry issues, challenges and trends are impacting RWWA revenue (e.g. a consumer shift towards online and sports betting)?
- What are the most significant cost challenges facing RWWA and how can RWWA mitigate the impact or drive efficiency?
- Are RWWA and clubs digitally ready to innovate and meet new competitor challenges?
- What opportunities exist for increasing RWWA’s return on investment in owned assets, infrastructure and media strategy, which can drive financial sustainability?
- RWWA operates from Racing Bets Levy, Point of Consumption Tax and WA TAB revenues. Are there other sources of revenue generation which RWWA should explore to drive sustainability?
In your response to the above, how could RWWA respond to drive long-term financial sustainability for its operations and its role of supporting the WA racing industry statewide?
Governance and regulatory alignment – Review RWWA’s governance arrangements, legislative framework, and regulatory compliance activities to ensure alignment with State Government and community expectations.
- Are RWWA’s current governance, corporate culture and business practices supporting industry growth, and meeting changing community expectations?
- What changes would you highlight as important to RWWA’s vision, values, mission and strategic objectives to fulfil its current and future role?
- What governance changes are required to support RWWA to ensure fairness and transparency in the industry in line with regulatory requirements, and WA State Government and community expectations?
- Where do the opportunities for improvement lie (including club management, board skills and governance) and those that may relate to the broader legislative regulatory and compliance environment?
Infrastructure and facilities
- Are there opportunities/options for better multi-use of infrastructure and innovative ideas for activating or driving returns on physical and land assets for the sustainability of the industry?
Community, industry and other
- What is needed to stimulate greater prize money and higher turnover; increase the pool of trainers, owners, breeders, and riders; and improve employment in both metropolitan and country communities?
- What additional actions should RWWA take to drive greater regional participation, create racing and employment pathways and elevate the industry to the benefit of all participants? Are there any barriers that need to be considered?
- Are there initiatives in other state or international jurisdictions that provide examples of best practice or new opportunities that you wish to share?
- In your responses to the above questions, please advise how current issues and trends, and/or any proposed changes to RWWA, might impact:
- the achievement of RWWA’s objectives and its core functions and services (including but not limited to its regulatory functions, industry support and operating the WA TAB);
- metropolitan and regional racing and associated events and activities; and/or
- the broader Western Australian community (including social, cultural and economic outcomes).
Are there any other matters related to the Terms of Reference that you would like to comment on? If yes, please advise of any relevant issues and/or opportunities that you would like the Review to note or consider.
How to Get Involved:
Please consider the Review’s Terms of Reference and Discussion Paper, and provide your feedback to AVA Senior Advocacy Officer, Liz Gemes at Liz.Gemes@ava.com.au by Sunday 2 March 2026 to inform the AVA representations
Individual Submissions to the Review:
Veterinarians are also welcome to lodge their own individual and independent submissions to the Review, separate from the AVA submission. We continue to encourage members to contribute to AVA representations and provide individual feedback, as engaging in both processes strengthens the veterinary profession’s overall influence. If you wish to make an individual submission to the Reivew you can do so here by Sunday 8 March 2026.
Use of AI in Consultation Feedback:
The AVA greatly values the veterinary expertise and real-world experience you bring to our consultations, as these insights are essential to ensuring our representations are accurate, credible and grounded in practical knowledge. While AI tools can be helpful, we’ve seen examples of incorrect references and misquotations. If you use AI when preparing your feedback, please verify the accuracy of the information and indicate that AI was used.