Residents Not Entirely Happy

May 14, 2009

There are many residents upset with the recent announcement made by the Brumby Government. Under the guise of the federal budget, the government has decided to offset the tax rise by allowing the Crown Casino to expand their poker and table gaming operations. By bringing in more poker machines they say that they will be able to increase revenue even though they are in the middle of a recession.

Residents are upset because they say that they are trying to get fewer poker machines in the country and this addition is just ridiculous. They argue that the country is trying to bring in revenue from their own citizens, which is exactly what happens by bringing in more poker machines.

They said that they have lifted the tax rate from 22% to 32% and in doing so they have allowed the casino to bring in another 150 poker machines. The increase in taxes will be over the next seven years, but they can bring in their poker games whenever they want. They already have 100 poker tables, and residents say that it is excessive to bring in any more than they already have.

Both anti poker and gambling campaigners and the Opposition said that the move was underhanded. They say that there is already a major problem with poker and gambling addictions in the country, and by allowing them to have more access to poker machines they have failed those that need them the most. For their part, the country says that this should bring in somewhere around $60 million over the next four years.