Here in Australia all gambling winnings are tax free (unless you're a professional punter...but that's another story)

Doesn't matter what the game is...lottery, slots/pokies, sports betting, casino games etc - you win it and it's all yours.

It's a different story in the US I think - certainly lottery wins are taxed.

Now South Africa is looking to do the same thing with a new budget measure due to come into effect April 2012 that will slug players 15% on gambling winnings over $3,500

Boo that I say. Isn't it enough that the government takes big chunk of gaming revenue from the operators? Taxing players as well is double dipping.