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Gambling Windfall for Australian Province30 October 2001VICTORIA, Australia –– As reported by the (Australia) Herald Sun: "Revenue from gambling and the real estate boom has fuelled a higher than expected budget surplus for the Bracks Government. "Across Victoria, gambling taxes earned $1.276 billion - 3.3 per cent more than the Government expected. "Crown casino paid $105.9 million in taxes, which is 32 per cent more than the budget estimate. "And revenue from poker machines was $801 million, or 2.7 per cent above estimates. "…[Opposition Leader Denis Napthine] said the surplus showed the government could afford to cut payroll tax by 0.5 per cent. "…`This surplus has been built on record levels of taxation, particularly stamp duty and payroll taxes, and this Government's ever-increasing dependency on pokies and gambling.' "…Finance Minister Lynne Kosky said the $1.2 billion surplus showed the state's economy was in good shape. "…She said the growth in gaming had also slowed. "`We're very aware that we do need to put in improved measures to deal with problem gamblers, she said…" |