Inside AGE 2022

austgamingexpo.com | #1 AUG 2022 | INSIDE AGE | 73 delivering an exceptional e x p e r i e n c e f o r a l l visitors.” B e g i n n i n g h i s Macau career at Galaxy Entertainment Group i n S e p t emb e r 2002 , Carruthers was Chief Operat i ng Of f i cer of Galaxy’s first property, Wa l d o c a s i n o , f r om its July 2004 opening, followed by three years in the same role at Galaxy’s then-flagship property StarWorld, which opened in October 2006. He left Galaxy in 2009 to pur sue consu l t i ng work in the industry. The likeable Irishmen’s clients included Sands China Limited, and this u l t ima t e l y l ed to h i s appo i n tmen t a s SVP & Director Operations Vene t i an Reso r t and Plaza Casino from 2013 to 2016, before joining Wynn as Chief Operating Officer of Wynn Macau Re so r t f rom Janua r y 2017 until now. As i de f rom h i s 33 years in the industry, Carruthers also brings s o m e t h i n g f a r l e s s tangible – an amiable c h a r a c t e r a n d a conciliatory management style. Given the bridges Crown needs to mend with the government of Victoria and the people of Melbourne, this could prove a vitally important asset. NSW INCREASES POINT OF CONSUMPTION TAX FOR CORPORATE BOOKMAKERS TO 15% THE NSW GOVERNMENT has implemented an increase to the Point of Consumption Ta x ( POCT ) o n c o r p o r a t e bookmakers in the state, rising from 10% to 15% as of 1 July 2022. The new tax formed part of the NSW budget for 2022, with estimates suggesting it will raise an additional AU$740 million (US$517 million) per year in government revenues. It also follows news of a similar POCT increase, from 15% to 20%, in Queensland earlier this month, while moves are afoot in other states to pursue a similar route. The tax i ncrease , wh i ch largely impacts foreign-owned corporate bookmakers, has been welcomed by Australian gaming and racing giant Tabcorp which has been actively lobbying state governments on the basis that it faces a higher tax burden than its competitors in the market. “Today is a positive step forward in levelling the playing field in NSW,” said Tabcorp Managing Director and CEO, Adam Ry t en s k i l d . “On l i ne bookies will pay a greater share of wagering tax which can be invested back into the local racing industry and ensures a fairer system. “We we l come t he NSW Government’s announcement. Online betting has changed substantially since the TAB’s licences were issued and this is an opportunity to better align with the modern economy. “ T h e Q u e e n s l a n d Gove r nme n t h a s r e c e n t l y announced reforms to create a level playing field and NSW is now a step closer to a level playing field.” Tabcorp also said it intends to continue advocating for “further industry reform and a level playing field.”