As the ACT government seeks as much as $30 million for the betting agency, the United Services Union said some of the 140 local jobs could be lost and wages and conditions slashed.

USU organiser Rudi Oppitz called on Treasurer Andrew Barr to direct ACTTAB management to negotiate a new enterprise agreement to give workers greater certainty after the sale.

Mr Oppitz said the new agreement would ensure staff were protected from future cuts to conditions under any new owner.

‘‘The ACT Government must immediately, and publicly, direct the board of directors of ACTTAB and their management team to enter into negotiations with staff and their union for the renewal of the enterprise agreement that covers their conditions of employment,’’ he said.

‘‘Some of these workers have provided more than 30 years of loyal service to ACTTAB, but instead of being rewarded for their efforts, they have been left with a great deal of concern and uncertainty about their future.’’

The current shortlist of buyers - including gambling giants Tabcorp and Tatts who run former government betting operations in other states - could see jobs moved to existing operations outside the ACT.

It is understood just three bidders remain in negotiations to buy the agency after as many as 12 groups submitted expressions of interest.

With corporate bookmakers excluded, the current bidders have operations in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, the Northern Territory, South Australia and Tasmania.

The value of ACTTAB will depend on how much the companies are prepared to pay for the local racing industry, as the ACT Government subsidises local racing by $8 million a year. Treasurer Andrew Barr has previously indicated he is prepared to consider a lower price in return for more support for the industry.

Recently passed laws allow for only one totalisator licence in the territory, offering betting which is known as ''pari-mutuel''.

All revenue from bets are pooled, and once the TAB takes its cut, the pool is divided among winning punters.

The government wants a fair price and the a sale to be completed by June 30, with no negative impact on the racing industry.

Mr Barr told the Assembly this month the government were working closely with the USU during the sale negotiations.

Opposition gaming and racing spokesman Brendan Smyth said the government should focus on ACTTAB workers.

‘‘I am quite certain the government just wants to sell ACTTAB and be rid of it,’’ he said.

‘‘They have hung onto it for way too long. The value that the territory might expect from it, I suspect has declined significantly over the last couple of years as other players and other forms of gambling come into being.’’

Mr Barr said employee welfare was one consideration included in the sale conditions.

"We want to ensure that through the sale process as many jobs as possible are kept and in fact we are certainly welcoming bids from potential new owners to expand the number of jobs," he said.