asked the Minister for Finance the number of convictions for betting tax evasion in 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983; the number of cases where licences were revoked as a result of convictions; and the number of cases where licences were revoked in those years for reasons other than tax evasion convictions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Betting Tax Evasion.
8.
The number of convictions for betting tax evasion in the years mentioned was as follows: 1980 — 8; 1981 — 18; 1982 — none; 1983 — 6.
No bookmaker's licence was revoked as a result of these convictions and no licences were revoked in those years for any other reason. However, a number of bookmakers were stopped from renewing their licences in those years because of objections raised to the issue to them of certificates of personal fitness to hold bookmakers' licences on the grounds that they had outstanding arrears of betting duty. The numbers concerned were: 1980 — 4; 1981 — 15; 1982 — 11; 1983 — 49.
Does the Minister agree that the amount of illegal betting is rather high — some people estimate that 80 per cent of all betting is illegal? Does this explain why the per capita amount spent on gambling in Ireland is only half of that spent in the UK and one-third of what is spent in Northern Ireland? We all know that a higher amount is spent in gambling here as compared with the UK and yet the returns show that we spend only half the per capita amount compared with the UK. Does the Minister agree that this bears out the suggestion that as much as 80 per cent of our gambling is done on an illegal basis and that the Minister, therefore, is getting tax only on 20 per cent of the betting total?
There is no doubt that there is a substantial problem in relation to illegal betting here. However, it would be highly speculative to put a figure on it and using crude amounts of money per capita would not necessarily give a proper indication of the amount as there would have to be adjustments made for differences in income levels per capita and other factors. I accept that there is a substantial problem with regard to illegal betting.
Does the Minister consider that there should be any amending legislation in regard to the 1931 Betting Act or the 1934 regulations?
I am at present reviewing both legislative and administrative measures having discussed the matter with various interests concerned and I hope to be in a position, where legislation is necessary, to include some further provisions in this year's Finance Bill.