Peter Gutwein,Premier
Michael Ferguson,Minister for Finance
The Tasmanian Liberal Government's Future Gaming policy will mean more money for essential services such as health and education, certainty and security for jobs in pubs and clubs, more support for problem gamblers and whilst the Federal Group has been a good corporate citizen and managed their responsibilities well, it will bring an end to the Federal Group's monopoly over gaming in Tasmania.
As we promised at the 2018 State Election, the amendments to the Gaming Control Act released today for public consultation will give control of Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) to individual Tasmanian pubs and clubs.
This will mean these venues will be able to offer certainty and security to their employees, and have more money to reinvest in their venues.
There will also be more funds received through the Community Support Levy, so that more can be invested in harm minimisation, with the levy also being extended to casinos for the first time meaning that an additional $3 million will be available to address problem gambling and support Tasmanian communities.
The proposed amendments released today include;
- Ending the Federal Group's monopoly over gaming in Tasmania;
- Giving control of Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) to individual pubs and clubs;
- Reducing the cap on EGMs in Tasmania by 150;
- Providing more support for problem gamblers by increasing the Community Support Levy;
- Introducing a separate licence for Statewide Keno; and
- Providing for two licences to be available for high-roller non-resident casinos, one each in Hobart and Launceston.
The Government has used licence fees and tax rates for Far North Queensland casinos as a benchmark in developing the Future Gaming Market rates and further information on rates and impact on share of revenue can be found HERE.
The new arrangements which will take effect from 1 July 2023, will return more revenue to the State, more to the community, more to pubs and clubs, and less to the Federal Group, meaning we are delivering what we said we would.
The new rates will deliver a sustainable gaming industry with a more equitable return to operators, the Government and the community, and provide increased funding for harm minimisation and gambling support.
Following the five week consultation period, the legislation will be brought before the Parliament later this year
