On 2 May 1982, a Royal Commission was established to:

(1) enquire and report as to the suitability of the present laws relating to racing and trotting in WA, particularly:
(a) whether the allocation of surplus TAB monies of 80 per cent each to the club and the association and 20 pre cent each to the country clubs, as provided in the Totalisator Agency Board Betting Act 1960-1973,and originally based on stakes paid, is a fair and justifiable allocation, or should the percentage be based on TAB investments engendered by each section;
(b) whether the ad hoc financial assistance rendered by the WA Turf Club and WA Trotting Association to country clubs in each sport is equitable and indicative of progress and financial stability in country racing and trotting;
(c) whether control of horse racing as provided for in the present laws is satisfactory; and
(d) in event of laws and ad hoc financial assistance being considered suitable or unsuitable in any respect, what changes, if any, should be made in the laws; and

(2) in so enquiring give particular attention to:
The Totalisator Agency Board Betting Act 1960-1973;
The Totalisator Duty Act 1905-1973;
The Totalisator Regulation Act 1912-1972;
The Betting Control Act 1954-1978;
The Western Australian Turf Club Act (Private) 1892);
The Western Australian Trotting Association Act 1946-1948;
The Racing Restriction Act 1917-1973;
The Racecourse Development Act 1976.