Poker Machines May Get Boot in Australia

Suburban Australia may see a dearth of poker machines over the next ten years if a new federal tax plan, which some have labeled as radical, goes through. The anti poker legislation will be introduced into Parliament by Family First Senator Steve Fielding, and if passed, there will be a gradual tax increase imposed on poker machines found in pubs and other locations outside of racetracks and casinos. These taxes would be held in a trust fund that could be tapped by community groups and sporting groups. The taxes would increase to the point that ownership of poker machines would become a losing proposition.