Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 2

Written Answers. - Offshore Betting.

Michael Bell

Question:

78 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Finance his views on the proliferation of telephone and Internet betting services in offshore, tax free havens which are targeted at the Irish betting public; his views on whether, as a result of the increasing volume of business from Ireland being lost to these tax free services and the ongoing high level of black market or under the counter betting within Ireland, the present 10 per cent tax on betting will be in danger of becoming uncollectable; and whether, in view of this, he will consider reducing the 10 per cent rate to 5 per cent or less as a means of stemming the flow of funds out of the country, making it more attractive to bet in Ireland from overseas and thus releasing the potential for major growth in activity, employment and tax yield from the legitimate licensed Irish betting industry. [13502/98]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

I can assure the House that I am aware of the developments referred to by the Deputy concerning telephone and Internet betting. My officials and those of the Revenue Commissioners are monitoring these developments closely. Under present Irish law it is illegal for a person within the State to place a bet with a person outside the State. As for revenue receipts, I would point out that there has been no falling off in receipt performance to date. At £45.5 million in 1997 this is a significant source of revenue. As I have indicated, the situation is being monitored closely.