The Attorney-General has released a report of a statutory review of the gaming machine tax rebate, announcing it will not be withdrawn.
The Attorney-General, Gordon Ramsay said the tax rebate was announced as part of the Supporting Local Community Clubs Policy released in September 2016.
Mr Ramsay said the vision was to reduce hard gambling and ensure a strong and sustainable club sector for the ACT.
“This rebate allows small and medium clubs and club groups that receive not more than $4 million Gross Gaming Machine Revenue per annum to retain 50 per cent of the amount of gaming machine tax otherwise payable,” Mr Ramsay said.
“Support for our smaller local community clubs that are at the heart of our community is a vital way to assist them to reinvest their revenue and diversify their income streams away from gaming,” he said..
“The tax rebate is another way the Government is working to assist the sustainability of clubs in the ACT. Clubs play a key role in our community through their support of sport, music, arts and other activities.”
The report outlines feedback received during the review as well as the Government’s response.
Nine submissions were received from the club industry, peak bodies, gambling harm reduction advocates and club workers as part of the review.
“We are very proud to see several small and medium clubs taking the step forward to diversify their income streams away from gaming machines,” Mr Ramsay said.
“The Government looks forward to seeing the changes in the club sector that these initiatives will bring about, including well paid jobs and services that will benefit the Canberra community,” he said.
