ACTTAB staff at risk of losing their jobs when the betting agency is privatised want the ACT government to consider allowing them to transfer into the ACT public service.
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The union representing staff at the government-owned betting agency has also warned that hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of community donations and sponsorships could be at risk if the business is sold.
The ACT Legislative Assembly voted unanimously on Thursday to give in-principle support to the sale of ACTTAB.
United Services Union organiser Rudi Opitz said ACTTAB's staff of about 100 were concerned about their futures.
Union members had made it clear to the government that they did not support the sale of the company.
''We've also put to the government and the directorate that will be handling the sale our concerns relating to employment protection, redundancies and all those sort of matters,'' Mr Opitz said.
''Those discussions included transmission across to the new company, possibilities of some of those employees maybe gaining employment with the ACT public service.''
Mr Opitz was also concerned about the future of ACTTAB's contributions to community organisations.
According to ACTTAB's 2012-13 annual report, the agency spent more than $568,000 on community sponsorships in the past financial year.
Contributions included $125,000 to the Canberra Centenary Cup, $10,000 to Ronald McDonald House Canberra and $500 to the Queanbeyan Children's Special Needs Group.
''If there was a sale then the ACT government would need to - we say - pick up the bill for those contributions,'' Mr Opitz said.
Treasurer Andrew Barr told the Assembly that ACTTAB should be sold as quickly as possible through an open, competitive process. ''This approach should ensure the best outcome for the territory,'' he said.
''The government will ensure that staff are treated fairly and equitably, and that the local racing industry is not negatively affected.''
Mr Barr said the government would seek information from potential purchasers on their plans for staff and contributions to the local racing industry.
The opposition unsuccessfully sought in the Assembly for sale conditions to protect funding arrangements for the local racing industry if the sale proceeded.
Mr Barr said the proposed conditions were overly prescriptive.
