Tatts takes levy fight to High Court
Gambling firm Tatts is hoping the High Court will stop it from having to pay millions of dollars in poker machine levies to the Victorian government.
Tatts is seeking special leave from the High Court to appeal a Victorian court decision that the company pay a $42.6 million health benefit levy to the government.
Tatts is challenging a successful appeal by Treasurer Michael O'Brien of a ruling in 2013 that significantly reduced the $42.6 million in levies imposed on Tatts and fellow gaming outfit Tabcorp.
Tabcorp and Tatts had argued they should not pay the full amount of the government's health benefit levy for operating poker machines in the 2012/13 financial year, as they lost their duopoly over pokies operated outside of Crown Casino 46 days into the year.
But Victoria's Court of Appeal On July 1 overturned a decision by the Supreme Court on the levy payment, forcing Tatts and fellow gambling firm Tabcorp to pay the levies.
Tatts on Monday said it was taking its case to the High Court.
The company said its earnings would be hit by about $25.7 million as a result of having to pay the levy.
