AUSTRALIA

CURRENCY: Australian Dollar (A$).

EXCHANGE RATE: A$1.29 = US$1.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: English.

POPULATION: 14,600,000.

CAPITAL: Canberra (A.C.T).

INTERNATIONAL CODE: TELEPHONE 61.

CURRENCY CONTROLS: There is no foreign currency control.Unlimited amounts of foreign currency maybe imported by bank transfer or in person.Domestic currency control sets a limit to the maximum amount that may be legally exported in person to A$5,000.By bank transfers, any amount transferred to a recognized tax haven country (e.g.Bahamas, Bermuda, Hong Kong, Panama etc.) requires a Taxation Clearance form prior to transfer.There is no limit on funds transferred to a non-tax haven country (e.g.U.S.A.), however, for amounts over A$50,000 (per annum) a declaration form must be completed and lodged prior to transfer.
A Cash Transaction Reporting is required as of July 1,1990; all cash dealers (e.g.casinos, financial institutions, etc.) in Australia are required to report to the Cash Transactions Reports Agency - The South Interchange Tower, 67 Albert Ave., 15th floor, Chatswood, NSW 2067.

Tel: (02) 9414-6500.

Fax: (02) 9413-3486 details of significant currency transactions of A$1 0,000 or more that the dealer has with its customers in Australia.
Currency control is governed by Banking Regulations (Foreign Exchange) and the Bank Act of 1959.The government agency in charge of currency control is the Reserve Bank of Australia, 65 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000.

GAMING INFORMATION: Australia has 9 Casinos controlled by the individual state and territory governments.In Queensland the Casino Control Act of 1982 governs casino gaming.The Casino Control Division, 87 Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, OLD 4102 controls the two Queensland casinos.Most table games are approved as well as video gaming slot machines.
In Tasmania casino gaming was initiated in 1968.The Tasmania Gaming Commission is responsible for the regulation and control of the two Tasmania casinos.Most forms of gaming, except slots are authorized by the Tasmanian laws.
The states of Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory have one casino each.The Northern Territories has two casinos.The casino operation on Christmas Island is controlled by the Department of Territories from Canberra.
Government approval has also been given for four new casinos to be built; one each in Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns, and Brisbane.Australian casinos are various combinations of a mix of European and American style gaming.