Lotterywest was established in 1932 as the Lotteries Commission of Western Australia, to run the lottery in Western Australia. It is referred to in the legislation as the Lotteries Commission. It distributes profits to a number of community beneficiaries, via both government departments and directly to not-for-profit organisations. It is a major supporter of the Perth Festival, with the film festival component of it known as Lotterywest Films.