Australian casino operator Federal Group has opposed new draft legislation that would see an end to its monopoly license in Tasmania, local media reports.
The proposed changes to state legislation is set to open up for pubs and clubs to offer slot machines on their floors, similar to that of other parts of the country as soon as July 1, 2023.
However, the Federal Group has argued that they have not been given sufficient notice of the change, and to force through the amendments would be “highly inappropriate”.
The company said that under a 2003 Deed between the state and Federal Group, any changes to their arrangements must be given at least four years of notice.
Federal Group previously estimated that the new rules will result in the group losing around $25 million per year.
The Tasmanian government in a statement said whilst the Federal Group had “been a good corporate citizen and managed its responsibilities well”, that the group’s monopoly would end 2023.
“The legislation which will be introduced into the Parliament later this year implements the government’s policy which was clear that the new arrangements would start in 2023 and the Federal Group supported this policy at the 2018 election,” it said.
