Pokies and Slot Machine Information

League to fight pokies tax

March 7, 2006 on 12:11 am | In Slot machine overviews |

The Government of New South Wales, Australia has been battling clubs in that state since 2004 over increases in poker machine tax. These taxes on pokies turnover are claimed by clubs to be reducing their ability to help their local communities. Clubs, unlike pubs, have a community focus and often are sports related.

Rugby league clubs in New South Wales are being enlisted to help in the battle against the tax increases:

“The campaign slogan “Labor hurting the heartland” will be launched at the Wests Tigers v St George Illawarra game this Friday night”

Daily Telegraph Article

There is so much at stake here - billions of dollars in gaming losses are registered in New South Wales every year, and much of it ends up in government coffers. With an election looming, it will be interesting to see if the government holds its position or yields to the power of public opinion the clubs will no doubt be able to sway in their favour.