Gambling taxes help prop up Aussie state

Gambling taxes in the Australian state of Victoria more than doubled from last year, according to figures released by the authorities.

The under-fire industry has helped the state’s finances to the tune of A$600m (€397m), with A$353m (€223m) coming from poker machines, more than twice the figures from the same period of last year – the quarter to the end of September.

Despite Australia-wide media negativity towards the gambling market, the Victoria state finances have been helped considerably by the figures, released by the Department of Treasury and Finance for the quarter.

“The jump in taxation revenue was primarily due to an increase in payroll tax due to the strong labour market,” said the department, but it added: “Gambling taxes from electronic gaming machines also drove the increase due to the lifting of public health restrictions on in-person gambling venues.”