No More Pokies says Australian Gov.

News came from Australia that a new plan could rid Clubs of Pokies in about five to ten years.  Tens of thousands of pokies are going to have to find a new home after a new federal new tax plan. 

This plan will see pokies only in casinos and race tracks, family first senator Steve Fielding will be introducing the new anti-pokies plans next week in Parliament.

It will involve a gradual tax imposed on individual poker machines in clubs and pubs that will increase as time goes by rendering the machines non profitable within five to ten years.  All revenues from the tax is to be held in trust to help community and sporting groups through this transition.

This new plan cams about as Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made hints about his own plans for gambling reform by slamming down the ides of having ATM's put in venues that have pokies.  Victoria has 30,000 pokies, 27,500 of these are in suburban venues operated by Tatts and Tabcorp and 2500 of them are at the Crown Casino.

Others are also onboard with this new plan as Senator elect Nick Xenophen is determined to gain Rudd's support when he brings his anti-poker message the Federal Parliament later this year. 

This new plan could still be squashed within weeks as an expected announcement is made on the future of the Tatts-Tabcorp duopoly.  A decision about the make up of the states wagering is also due, so players beware there are changes in the works for Australia.