West Australia considering APOC tax on internet operators
News on 4 Aug 2016
News on 4 Aug 2016
Australian media reports Thursday indicate that the provincial government of Western Australia may be thinking about following the example of South Australia by hitting online gambling operators with a 15 percent on revenue point-of-consumption tax.
The tax would include bets on horse, harness and greyhound racing, along with sports betting such as AFL, cricket and soccer, election-related punting and prop betting on events like elections and celebrity awards.
If the WA government carries this project further it will come into conflict with online gambling operators who have already embarked on a high profile campaign against the South Australian equivalent (see previous reports).
Some WA politicians reportedly favour a more “wait and see” posture, observing how the South Australian proposals unfold and what the results and consequences might be.
Among them is WA Treasurer Mike Nahan, who reminded colleagues this week that the federal government’s tax reform process was still evolving, and advocated that WA observe and monitor the p.o.c. issue and its implications.
