Pokie-operating clubs exploiting ‘egregious loophole’ for tax breaks, Victorian council claims

Hume city council assessed five years’ worth of statements and found clubs often claimed operating costs, such as staff wages and leasing expenses, as community benefits. Photograph: Loren Elliott/Reuters

Clubs that operate poker machines have misrepresented the amount of gambling losses they reinvest in the community in an attempt to help reduce their tax bills, a council has alleged.

Hume city council has criticised the Victorian government for not closing what it considers to be an “egregious loophole” that it alleges is being “rorted” by clubs, despite directly raising concerns this year.