Tax Code

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2012

Tuesday, 31 January 2012

Ceisteanna (64, 65, 66, 67)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

105 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding betting legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5110/12]

Jack Wall

Ceist:

106 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Finance his views regarding a matter (details supplied); the position regarding proposed legislation to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5285/12]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

108 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Finance his views on proposals regarding betting legislation contained in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5527/12]

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

146 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance if he will include persons involved in betting exchanges in which bets are laid under the proposed legislation on betting; if persons involved in this area will require a bookmaker’s licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5481/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance (Deputy Michael Noonan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 105, 106, 108 and 146 together.

The proposed betting (Amendment) Bill, which is being drafted at present, will amend the 1931 Betting Act to inter alia establish the regulatory framework for the licensing of remote bookmakers and betting exchanges, including measures to enforce the regulatory framework. The drafting of the Bill, which is fairly complex, is well advanced. The Finance Act 2011 contained measures to allow for the extension of the 1% betting duty to remote bookmakers and for a 15% gross profit tax to betting exchanges. The taxation provisions are subject to a Ministerial Commencement order which can only be commenced when the Betting (Amendment) Bill is enacted.

In relation to the taxation treatment of betting exchanges, it is the operator of the betting exchange that will be liable to the gross profit tax which is also the position in the UK.