On 21 May 2002 the Government announced the restructuring of the racing industry governance system in Western Australia. It was proposed to merge the principal club functions of The Western Australian Turf Club, Western Australian Trotting Association and Western Australian Greyhound Racing Authority, together with the off-course betting activities of the TAB, into a single controlling authority to be known as Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA).

To achieve this restructure, the following principal changes have been completed:

RWWA was established as the controlling authority for thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing in Western Australia from 1 August 2003.
The Western Australian Turf Club, the Western Australian Trotting Association, and the Western Australian Greyhound Racing Authority each remain as racing clubs, responsible for the conduct of racing activities at their respective venues.
The Racecourse Development Trust was abolished and the development of racing and training infrastructure is a function of RWWA. The Trust's obligations, unallocated funds and funding source (unclaimed TAB dividends and refunds) have been transferred to RWWA.
The TAB was abolished as a legal entity and RWWA assumed responsibility for the conduct of off-course betting on 30 January 2004. The TAB brand remains for off-course wagering.
The Betting Control Board and the Gaming Commission of Western Australia have merged to form the Gaming and Wagering Commission of Western Australia.

To manage these changes, four separate Acts have been passed by parliament:

Racing and Wagering Western Australia Act 2003
Racing and Gambling Legislation Amendment and Repeal Act 2003
Racing Restriction Act 2003
Racing and Wagering Western Australia Tax Act 2003

In terms of its structure, RWWA is not:

a Crown agency;
subject to ministerial direction or the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman ; nor
a public sector body under the Public Sector Management Act 1994

To ensure that proper accountability mechanisms are in place RWWA is:

subject to the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985 and the Freedom of Information Act 1992;
required to report to Parliament;
subject to borrowing restrictions;
required to provide the responsible Minister with access to information;
regulated by the Gaming and Wagering Commission;
required to prepare and submit for approval an annual strategic development plan; and
required to prepare and submit for tabling in the Parliament, an annual statement of corporate intent.

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