Bremerton cuts gambling tax in the hopes of luring back casinos

By LYNSI BURTON
Bremerton Patriot Staff Writer
July 19, 2010 · Updated 10:00 AM 

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The Bremerton City Council voted to cut the city's gambling tax in half Wednesday in the hopes that more casinos will be able to do business in the city.

The ordinance, passed on an 7-0 vote with Council President Nick Wofford absent and Councilman Adam Brockus abstaining, reduces the taxes on card games from 20 percent to 10 percent, making the city's gambling tax even with the county's.

Weeks after the Bremerton Lanes casino closed in May due to financial troubles, former manager Don Knott told the Council that reducing the gambling tax could bring 30 to 50 jobs back to Bremerton. Bremerton Lanes lost 100 employees when its casino shut down.

"Hopefully this will attract new businesses in the future," Councilman Greg Wheeler said of the tax reduction.

The gambling tax brought the city more than $80,000 last year, Councilman Adam Brockus said.

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