Australian Capital Territory
Casino Control (Poker - Omaha) Approval 2006 (No 1)
Notifiable Instrument NI2006–156
made under the  
Casino Control Act 2006, section 96 (Rules for Authorised Games)

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

The Casino Control Act 2006 (the Act) regulates the operation of the casino in the Territory.  The Act commences on 1 May 2006 and replaces the Casino Control Act 1988.

Section 95 of the Act enables the casino licensee to apply in writing to the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission (the Commission) for a declaration that a game is an authorised game.  A declaration under section 95 of the Act is a notifiable instrument.

Section 96 of the Act enables the casino licensee to apply in writing to the Commission for approval of the rules for an authorised game.  An application under this provision must be approved or refused and an approval is a notifiable instrument.

Section 156 of the Act repeals all instruments under the previous Casino Control Act 1988.

The Commission has declared Poker - Omaha an authorised game under section 95 of the Act after receiving an application from the casino licensee.

This instrument provides Commission approval of the rules for the authorised game of Poker – Omaha pursuant to section 96 of the Act.  The rules appearing in the schedule to the instrument were submitted by the casino licensee with its application for approval and are the same rules previously approved for the authorised game of Poker – Omaha under the old Casino Control Act 1988 except for some minor changes.

The first of the minor changes between this instrument and the rules approved under the Casino Control Act 1988 is the introduction of a definition of “Buy-in” within the Dictionary of Terms.  This definition is used to clarify the new rules 4.2(i) and 4.5 regarding table stakes and bets.  Rule 4.6 is also introduced to indicate that a player must not reduce their table stake.  These minor changes prevent the introduction of large stakes that may intimidate players and enables each player to participate on a “level-playing field”.

Rule 18.1 has been amended to reflect the name of the new legislation governing the casino’s operating hours.