BETTING TAX

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 140, 11 December 1930, Page 7

BETTING TAX

TEN PER CENT,

(From "Vedette.") SYDNEY, 4th December. Seasonable taxation, of racing, conceded by all right-thinking people to be a tax on luxury, cannot be objected to. The/Lang Government in New South Wales, however, in desperation for money to make some showing of fulfilling extravagant election promises, has run amuck. It proposes to bring down further taxation on all winning wages with the bookmakers of 10 per cent. It is not certain, but it is probable that winning tickets on the totalisator too, will be reduced by the same amount. The taxation, is likely to be bitterly opposed, and the bookmakers, who undoubtedly have considerable influence with the Labour Party, may gain tho point. Under the present proposals they are to be the tax-gatherers for the Government. As tlie^- already pay,ticket tax, betting fees, and tax, box fees, .and other considerations, so that expenses for a paddock bookmaker are assessed at & 3000 per annum, it is natural they are up against a further cut into the public money. They have the additional objection to extra work, and probably extra staff, for some queor vulgar fractions will bo necessary in the adjustments. Big backers are also up against the tax as it stands, and point out that they may contribute £100 in taxation and then have a losing day. The racing clubs, with n possibility of decreased attendances, are also concerned. It is likely that some concerted action by racing people will be made. They realise that in the time of emergency, some sacrifice is necessary, but they consider the 10 per cent, proposal too drastic, and, further, that it will divert more business to illicit betting shops, where taxation will be, of course, evaded.