Gambling returns $1.6 billion - The Age - 6th May 2009

Tax revenue from suburban poker machines in Victoria has reached a new milestone, delivering more than $1 billion to State Government coffers in the last financial year.

Revenue from lotteries also grew, to $343 million, but it was $11 million less than the Government hoped for and follows Intralot's disastrous entry into the market last July.

Overall, the money the Government collected in tax from gambling in 2008-09 is now expected to total $1.625 billion — higher than ever, but $26 million less than expected.

The Government expects about $1.64 billion in the coming financial year, including another $1 billion from pokies.

However, Treasurer John Lenders has not revealed how much he expects to make from the auction of the 27,500 poker machines outside Crown Casino next year, which industry sources say will be at least $2.7 billion.

Laws covering the new arrangements are yet to pass parliament. "Next year, when the legislation is done, we'll presumably factor that into the forward estimates," Mr Lenders said.

Mark Zirnsak, of the Interchurch Gambling Taskforce, said the Government's projected growth was a disappointing sign of its gambling revenue dependence.

"We think that's a sign they need to be moving more quickly on measures to rein in problem gambling and we would expect to start seeing a decline."

Dr Zirnsak said the Victorian Government needed "a long-term strategy to wean itself off gambling revenue".

Tax from Crown Casino rose to $142 million in 2008-09 and is expected to grow to more than $200 million by 2012-13. (Credit: The Age)

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