Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 5

Written Answers. - Betting Duty.

Seán Power

Question:

152 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Finance the total amount received from betting duty for each of the years from 1984 to date; the projection for the next five years in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27944/98]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant figures for Exchequer receipts from betting duty for the period requested by the Deputy are as follows:

Year	Receipts
	£
1984	20,508,274
1985	16,122,408
1986	18,304,040
1987	19,481,178
1988	22,456,165
1989	25,565,519
1990	29,281,392
1991	30,331,024
1992	32,401,861
1993	34,355,897
1994	36,054,676
1995	38,218,981
1996	40,641,469
1997	45,524,127

Receipts for 1998 are expected to be just under £53 million. Projections for future years will be affected by the proposed cut in betting tax from 1 July 1999 for which I made a prudent provision of £12 million reduction in revenue in 1999 and £24 million in a full year, although, as I pointed out in my budget speech, I am of the view that the reduction will increase betting activity and help recover receipts lost.