“An unnatural fit” for government, says chamber
The West Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is asking the state government to sell off its gaming operations. WA TAB is the last state-owned gaming agency, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
As Colin Barnett’s government considers its next move, gaming giants Tatts Group and Tabcorp are gearing up to vie for the potential billion-dollar deal. Tabcorp currently owns the other former government TABs throughout Australia, reported the Asia Gaming Brief.
The chamber says no government should be in the gaming business. “Gaming has evolved from the tote at the local races into a highly competitive, global online industry offering countless betting markets,” said chamber CEO Deidre Willmott. “The modern reality is an unnatural fit for a state government.
“The government should sell any asset where the private sector can provide the service more efficiently and in a competitive market, which is clearly the case with the TAB,” Willmott added.
Her view is not universally shared. Last summer, Labor MP Paul Papalia said the WA government may do well to hold onto the asset, rather than privatizing, given the revenues generated by gaming.
