Message from the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice : The Hon Yvette D’Ath MP
On 6 April 2020, the Queensland Government granted a three-month deferral of March 2020 gaming machine taxes and health services levies to assist licensees dealing with the impacts of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The collection of these taxes, which were originally due from hotel gaming machine licensees on 10 April 2020, was deferred until 10 July 2020.
From the outset of the health restrictions, I assured the hotel industry that the Queensland Government recognises the exceptional circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic require flexibility to support business.
As a result, I confirm the recent announcement of deferral of the March 2020 gaming machine taxes and health services levies has been extended until February 2021.
Under the new terms of the deferral, which will be set out in the Gaming Tax Notice 2020, licensees will be obligated to pay their deferred March 2020 gaming machine tax in three equal instalments.
The instalments, each representing a third of the value of the deferred March 2020 taxes, will be collected in an automated sweep of nominated bank accounts on:
- 10 February 2021
- 12 April 2021
- 10 June 2021.
Hotel gaming licensees will be reminded as these dates approach.
Licensees also have the option to pay their deferred March 2020 gaming machine taxes in one lump sum in February 2021, but will need to notify the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (email olgrfinance@justice.qld.gov.au) of their intention to do so by 30 November 2020.
Once again I thank all of you in the hotel industry for your patience and perseverance in the face of trying times and the necessary health requirements mandating by Queensland’s Chief Health Officer.
I want to assure you of the government’s determination to support Queensland’s hospitality sector and the jobs it generates, as we unite and recover from coronavirus.
