Gambling in Australia
Over 80% of Australian adults engage in gambling of some kind which is the highest rate of gambling in the world.[1]
In 2007-08 the states collected about $3 billion from poker machines, and $4.9 billion from all forms of gambling, accounting for 9.1% of their total revenue.[2] The NSW government receives about $1 billion from poker machines, and $1.6 billion from all forms of gambling. [2]
Regulatory authorities
Since the introduction of new gambling services, including online gambling, the Commonwealth has taken a more active role in the regulation of gambling, but the Australian gambling industry is also regulated by State and Territory authorities:[3]
- Australian Capital Territory - ACT Gambling and Racing Commission
- New South Wales - Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing
- Northern Territory - Licensing Commission
- Queensland - Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation
- South Australia - Independent Gambling Authority
- Tasmania - Tasmanian Gaming Commission
- Victoria - Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation
- Western Australia - Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor
Online gambling
The Interactive Gambling Act (2001) was passed by the Australian Commonwealth Parliament on 28 June 2001.[4] It received assent on July 11, 2001[5]
The Act is targeted at online gambling operators such as Sportsbet, making it an offense for them to offer ‘real-money’ online interactive gambling to residents of Australia. It also makes it illegal for online gambling operators to advertise ‘real-money’ interactive gambling services (such as online poker and casino) to Australian citizens.[4]
Accessing and using the interactive gambling services is not an offence. It is also allowed to companies based in Australia to offer their gambling services to gamblers located outside Australia with the exception of those countries that were called 'designated countries'.[6]
Taxation laws on gambling in Australia
Gamblers' winnings in Australia are not taxed. There are 3 main reasons for that:
- Gambling is not considered a profession, it's treated as a hobby or recreational activity.
- The Australian government views gains from gambling activities not as income, but as a result of good luck. Even if someone wins big, they also lose a lot in other gambling sessions.
- The government taxes gambling operators instead.[7]
Taxation of gambling operators in Australia differs from state to state and different gambling services are taxed in a different way. There are taxes on the turnover, on player loss and net profit. As gambling operators need to obtain a license to offer their services, certain fees must also be paid at this stage of gambling business development. [8]
| Forms of taxation | Gambling Activity |
|---|---|
| Turnover tax | Bookmakers (racing) |
| Bookmakers (sports betting) | |
| Totalisator wagering on racing | |
| Lottery subscriptions | |
| Draw card machines | |
| Keno | |
| Tax on player loss | Totalisator wagering on racing |
| Sports betting | |
| Poker machines in hotels, clubs, casinos | |
| Casinos | |
| TAB sports betting | |
| Keno | |
| Net profits tax | Poker machines |
| Off-course totalisator investment | |
| Licence Fees | Casinos |
| Poker machines | |
| Lotteries | |
| Racing | |
| Bookmakers | |
| Sports betting | |
| Minor gambling (bingo, raffles) |
See also
References
- ↑ Bryant, Nick "Australia in thrall of gambling mania", BBC, 30 January 2007
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Saulwick, Jacob "Breaking the political addiction to pokies", Sydney Morning Herald, 27 February 2010
- ↑ Parliament Library: Gambling Policy and Regulation
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Interactive Gambling Act Receives Assent
- ↑ Interactive Gambling Act 2001: Compilation
- ↑ Review of the Interactive Gaming Act 2001
- ↑ Gambling Taxation Overview
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Australian Gaming Council: Gamblng Taxes
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