Shopping centre pushes for lotto licence

A Baldivis shopping precinct has started a petition to lobby for a newsagency to be allowed to sell lottery tickets.

The Baldivis Square shopping centre has a proponent that wants to open up a newsagency, but his will only proceed if a lotto application is granted.

This initially looked set to be approved, but it is now under review by the Lotteries Commission.

The only licensed lotto operator in Baldivis is based at Stockland Shopping Centre, but Baldivis Square centre manager Maria Musbah wants this to change. She said more people would use Baldivis Square if lotto tickets were sold.

IGA assistant manager Josh Rock said about 12,000 customers shopped there each week and plenty asked when the newsagency, with lotto, would be available. Baldivis MP Reece Whitby said he would present the petition in Parliament.

“To operate at full potential, you need all the offerings, including a newsagency. This is holding the centre back,” he said.

“We want to let the Lotteries Commission know loud and clear that in a community of more than 30,000 people, you need more than one agent.

“Here is a new business that wants to employ people and provide an extra service - they are being held back because of the delay.”

The petition can be signed at IGA in Baldivis Square.