The state budget handed down yesterday is proof that the Minns government cares more about the interests of the gambling industry than it does the people of NSW, according to Greens MP and gambling harm reduction spokesperson, MLC Cate Faehrmann.
‘While public schools, public transport and hospitals are crying out for investment, Labor has refused to touch on a reform that could have delivered an estimated $1 billion into the state budget,’ said Cate Faehrmann.
‘Clubs don’t pay a cent in tax for their first $1 million in pokies profits each year, while hotels start paying tax at $200,000. Some of these clubs, mini-casinos in the suburbs are raking in millions and paying bugger all tax.
‘The government had a chance to fix this and make clubs pay their fair share. Instead, they’ve caved to the powerful clubs lobby once again,’ she said.
‘Tax on gambling profits is the fourth largest category of tax revenue in NSW after stamp duties, payroll tax and land tax. It totalled almost $2.3 billion in 2023-24 and a further $1 billion was up for grabs if the government had the guts to take on the gambling industry.
‘As pokies profits soar, the people of NSW are losing $23 million a day, and criminals are laundering their dirty money through machines in big pubs and clubs.’
No excuse
‘There is no excuse for the government to not tax pokies profits more,’ said Cate Faehrmann.
‘The Auditor-General’s recent report has confirmed that this government is not meeting its legal obligations to reduce the harm from pokies, and this budget confirms that it’s putting the interests of the gambling industry ahead of the interests of the people of this state,’ she said.
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