Struggling Queensland gaming venues set to receive massive tax break

Queensland’s Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath announced this week that Queensland pubs and clubs have been given a $50 million break in gaming taxes. 

Monday’s announcement comes as relief for the struggling sector, which has been dealing with the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns. 

With the Queensland government continuing to manage its health response, a plan for economic recovery can now begin.

Hospitality is one industry that will be looked at in great detail.

D’Ath declared gaming taxes from hospitality venues due from March this year would be deferred to 2021. 

The aim is to help protect jobs and improve cash flow for gambling outlets.

“This extra deferral will help improve cash flow for pubs and clubs emerging from coronavirus restrictions and better protect the jobs of hospitality workers,” Ms D’Ath said.

“Our existing deferral for March 2020 gaming taxes, which was due to expire on July 10, has now been extended until 2021.This represents almost $50 million in deferrals for Queensland pubs and clubs for the period when they were hardest hit by coronavirus.” 

Gaming taxes incurred in March 2020 will now be repaid in three equal instalments in February 2021, April 2021 and June 2021.

Approximately 50 licensees have had $1.4 million returned to them after already paying their gaming machine taxes for March. 

This is in addition to the  $22.7 million that has already been waived in liquor licensing renewal fees for 2020/21 by the Palaszczuk Government.