The South Australian Council of Social Service welcomes the passing of legislation to establish the SA Wagering Tax. The tax, which was announced as part of the State Budget this year, will ensure that online bookmakers pay gambling tax in South Australia on revenue made from South Australian gamblers.
SACOSS CEO, Ross Womersley said, "We have been concerned for a long time that international bookmakers were licensing their Australian operations in places like the Northern Territory where they paid little or no gambling tax. In effect, South Australia was paying for the consequences of problem gambling and community losses associated with gambling, without getting a fair share of the revenue from gambling.”
“The new “point of consumption” wagering tax – a first in Australia – will ensure that gambling taxes on SA bets are paid to the South Australian Government. That makes it fairer for local bookies, and for the community who will now have some $10m a year more to spend on services.
“SACOSS congratulates the state government on this ground-breaking initiative, and thanks all parties in the Legislative Council who supported this important tax reform.”
A point of consumption wagering tax was proposed in SACOSS’ major report Losing the Jackpot: South Australia’s Gambling Taxes published earlier this year, and could provide a model for other Australian states and territories.
For comment, contact:
Ross Womersley SACOSS CEO 0418 805 426