Victoria gambling laws could see tax change

VICTORIA could be swamped with gambling ads if the government accepts an industry push for low taxes.

Some of the money from a new gambling tax would support the racing industry. Picture: Getty

VICTORIA would be blanketed with gambling advertisements under an industry plan for a cut-price tax.

Former Labor senator turned gambling lobbyist Stephen Conroy has been pushing for a less than 10 per cent tax on mobile phone betting in Victoria.

That tax would be a fraction of the 15 per cent tax introduced in South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland.

Former Labor senator Stephen Conroy. Picture: Aaron Francis

Tim Costello, of Alliance for Gambling Reform, said if Mr Conroy’s plan was adopted it would make Victorian punters more profitable and a bigger target for gambling advertising.

“A lower tax in Victoria would make punters more profitable here,” he said.

“The companies would then target Victorian punters with more ads because they make more money here.

“Victoria would become the new Northern Territory and we will sacrifice our kids on the altar of these companies’ greed.”

The Victorian government asked for submissions on its plans for a consumption tax, with submissions closing three months ago.

Treasurer Tim Pallas has carriage of the tax, but no decision has yet been made.

The Victorian government released a consultation paper that suggested it was considering whether to adopt the South Australia model of a 15 per cent tax on all bets, which was introduced in July.

Alliance for Gambling Reform’s Tim Costello. Picture: Gary Ramage

There were also plans for taxes on offshore bookmakers to stop companies avoiding tax here.

The Sunday Herald Sun asked Mr Conroy for an interview through his lobby group Responsible Wagering Australia, which represents Sportsbet, Crownbet, Bet 365, Betfair Exchange, Unibet and Ladbrokes.

The lobby group declined.

But RWA spokeswoman Claire Wheaton said when asked about its push for a 6 per cent tax that the group was campaigning on the point of consumption tax.

“RWA is committed to working with all jurisdictions to ensure that point of consumption taxes take into consideration the industry’s significant contribution to the economy and doesn’t come at the expense of Australian jobs,” she said.

“RWA’s members paid more than $200 million in wages and employed almost 2000 Australians last financial year.

“In the last financial year in Victoria, RWA’s members employed more than 900 people, paid more than $127 million dollars in wages, contributed $78 million to the racing industry and paid more than $11 million in sponsorships to support Victorian events and tourism.”

Emma Webster, a Victorian government spokeswoman, said: “Like all states, we are looking at this issue and will consider feedback received as part of an extensive consultation process.”