Seán Haughey
Question:182. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Finance the reason national lottery games are exempt from betting tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44939/18]
View answerTuesday, 6 November 2018
Questions (182)
Written answers
Betting tax is charged on sports betting, where the service is provided by a licensed bookmaker or betting intermediary. The National Lottery, on the other hand, is designed to generate substantial funds for the Exchequer to be expended on good causes.
Monies paid into the Central Fund are applied for one or more of the following causes, as the Government may determine from time to time:
(a) sport and recreation;
(b) national culture and heritage (including the Irish Language)
(c) the arts (within the meaning of the Arts Act 2003);
(d) health of the community;
(e) youth, welfare and amenities;
(f) natural environment; and
(g) such other objectives (if any) as the Government may determine from time to time.
In practical terms, that means every year approximately €225 million is available for good causes.
I have no plans to include National Lottery games within the scope of the betting tax.