Pokies tax minimisation scheme must be overhauled, Victorian councils demand

Victorian councils are calling for a review of a scheme that gives clubs a tax break if they return a portion of poker machine revenue to community initiatives. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

A group of councils is demanding the Victorian government overhaul a tax minimisation scheme for poker machine venues, arguing it has allowed them to significantly overstate their benefit to the community.

The collection of mayors warn some venues have not paid a share of gambling profits to charities as promised, while using sponsorships of local sporting teams to advertise their venues and attract local residents to gambling hubs.