Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2013
281. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will detail the various taxes that currently apply to bets placed in a bookmakers' premises here and bets placed online; if any changes are planned in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24318/13]
View answerThe only tax that currently applies specifically to bets placed in a bookmaker’s premises is betting duty. Bookmakers are liable for this duty at a rate of 1% of the amount of the bet entered into. The Finance Act 2011 provides for the taxation of bets that remote bookmakers enter into with persons in the State and betting duty at the existing rate of 1% will be applied to such bets. The Act provides also for the taxation of Betting Exchanges for the first time, at a rate of 15% tax on the commission charged. These taxation provisions will be commenced when the Betting (Amendment) Bill is enacted. This Bill was published in July last year and work has continued since on drawing up a number of amendments to the Bill to strengthen enforcement measures. It is my intention, given the number of amendments, to go back to Government in the very near future for approval to republish the Bill in this Dáil session.
