Online gambling companies have criticised the Queensland government’s decision to tax them more.
The group – which represents Entain,Betfair,bet365,Sportsbet,Unibet and PointsBet – was paying for membership of the party’scontroversial Queensland Business Partnerships Network.
Within days,however,the group would claim to have been blindsided by the government’s announcement it would raise gambling taxes.
On Monday,Treasurer Cameron Dick announced the point of consumption tax on wagering companies would rise from 15 per cent to 20 per cent and be broadened to include free and bonus bets.
He said it was about “levelling the playing field” and making all companies that make money out of gambling pay their fair share.
Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick has announced changes to gambling taxes ahead of handing down the state budget.Credit:Attila Csaszar
“We’ve seen the influx of new online betting companies – we see that almost every night,in ads on our television and also ads that pop up on our phone,” Dick told reporters on Monday.
“The existing point of consumption betting tax captures some of that growing revenue but not enough to make up for what they are taking away from the TAB and from racing in Queensland.”