Club to pay $33M poker tax

The Ettalong Beach War Memorial Club is expected to pay $33.7 million in poker machine tax over the next five years, according to ClubsNSW publicity officer Mr Jeremy Bath.

Mr Bath said increases in the tax rate over that period would amount to $8.6 million for the Ettalong club.

Dozens of Central Coast clubs recently lent their signatures to an agreement on poker machine tax with the NSW Opposition.

Attending the signing at the Gosford RSL Club on behalf of the Opposition was the Member for Gosford and Shadow Minister for the Central Coast Mr Chris Hartcher as well as ClubsNSW chairman Mr Peter Newell and CEO Mr David Costelllo.

The agreement with the local clubs commits the Opposition to stopping the poker machine tax increase at their 2005 rate if they win Government next year, a decision which saves the region $48 million in poker tax.

Just 17 months into the seven years of the continuous tax increases, more than $7 million has already been stripped from the Central Coast clubs and the local economy, according to Mr Bath.

Mr Newell said the Government's new tax will have cost the Central Coast at least $91 million and more than 1300 jobs by 2010.

"The Coalition's tax plan benefits large, medium and small clubs," Mr Newall said.

"It stops the losses that have been taking place in the industry, as well as cuts the donations to charity and the reduction in support to community and sporting groups."

Press release, February 2 Jeremy Bath, ClubsNSW