Released 28/11/2019
The ACT Government has released the report of its statutory review of the gaming machine tax rebate and announced that it will not be withdrawing the rebate.
This tax rebate was announced as part of the Supporting Local Community Clubs Policy released in September 2016.
“The ACT Government’s vision is to reduce gambling harm as well as ensuring a strong and sustainable club sector for the Territory,” Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay said.
“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.
“The Government’s 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.
“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 and the Government’s response. Nine submissions were received from the club industry, peak bodies, gambling harm reduction advocates and club workers in conducting this review.
In addition to the rebate, since 2017, the Government has implemented a range of measures to assist small and medium clubs to diversify away from gaming revenue, including:
- providing $10,000 community club grants to small and medium clubs for the purpose of diversification towards alternative income streams;
- providing access to cash incentives and offsets that can be used for land and planning fees and charges as part of the voluntary surrender process;
- introducing a small and medium clubs liaison function, located in Access Canberra. This new function works with and supports Canberra clubs by providing a single point of contact for regulatory or administrative issues, including assistance to support diversification activities
- establishing the Diversification and Sustainability Support Fund to help clubs pursue a future away from gaming machines and support club staff to develop new skills.
“We are very proud to see several small and medium clubs taking the step forward to diversify their income streams away from gaming machines.
“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,” Minister Ramsay said.
- Statement ends -
Gordon Ramsay, MLA | Media Releases
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