Crown Resorts to pay more tax on poker machines
Changes outlined in next week’s Victorian budget show Melbourne’s Crown Casino is about to start paying more tax on its 2600 poker machines, meaning it will pay the same amount of tax on pokies winnings as clubs and pubs.
A 2014 law had previously restricted the government from raising the tax rate without having to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation.
The law has now been removed in the wake of the Royal Commission into Crown Casino, which will increase tax revenue on gambling from $2 million to $30 million from July 2023.
“This is a fair way of ensuring that every taxpayer pays their part,” Mr Pallas said.
$55.6 million will be spent by the Andrews government to put in place the recommendations of the Royal Commission into the Casino, which found that Crown Resorts was not suitable to hold its licence.
Crown has two years to improve its practices, which will be overseen by a special monitor.
“We're getting on with delivering the reforms and investments needed to strengthen oversight of Crown and the whole Victorian gambling industry, with a focus on harm minimisation,” Minister for Gambling and Liquor Regulation Melissa Horne said.
Irit Jackson, 2nd May 2022
