Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 October 2013
107. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has looked at the Italian model in advance of the Gaming Control Bill; if he considers such a model to be a suitable method of eliminating revenue avoidance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43870/13]
View answerThe Government approved my draft General Scheme for the Gambling Control Bill in July. In the course of preparing that Scheme, my Department examined relevant provisions in the laws of many other jurisdictions, including Italy, and, where appropriate, drew on those provisions in framing the proposals appropriate to this jurisdiction.
I note the Deputy's reference to "eliminating revenue avoidance". It is important to understand the role of the proposed Gambling Control Bill in relation to taxation and revenue matters. Although not concerned with taxation, the new legislation will, nevertheless, be of assistance to the Revenue Commissioners in identifying those liable to taxation in the gambling sector. This will come about because the new legislation will provide that only licensed operators may offer gambling services and it will also provide the means to ensure compliance with that requirement. The Revenue Commissioners can therefore rely on the licensing system to identify all those liable under the relevant taxation provisions.
