Nick Xenophon is against pokies and he will pressing the Rudd Government to introduce a Commonwealth levy on poker machines. This move is similar to the 70 percent tax raise on alcopop drinks that was announced last week.

Under the new plan there would be a $100 dollar tax imposed on 200,000 video poker machines nationwide and the revenue from the tax would be used to fund problem gambling programs.

Xenophon discussed the plan at a meeting with anti gaming campaigners in Melbourne last week and expects to raise the matter with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd later this year in July.

"The Commonwealth is the last hope for significant gambling reform in this country because state governments are hopelessly dependent on the $4 billion in revenue they rake in each year," Mr Xenophon said.






- 2008-05-05