Betting Regulations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 February 2017

Wednesday, 1 February 2017

Ceisteanna (168)

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

168. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider introducing a new rate of tax for high street betting shops, which have a turnover of €2 million or less and that the same would be equal to the new on-course bookmaker’s rate which is now 0.25% of turnover, whereby there has been a significant reduction in the number of shops in the independent betting sector over the past decade with a significant loss of jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4925/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

The rate of 0.25 % the Deputy is referring to is a levy that on-course bookmaker's pay to Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and is not a tax. This rate is set by the HRI and is not a matter for the State.

Revenue informs me that it does not require a betting licence holder to provide the turnover generated from each of their shops, therefore it is not possible to determine the number of shops with an annual turnover of less than €2 million. Consequently, it is not possible to estimate the cost of a tax relief or tax exemption for the businesses outlined by the Deputy.

Furthermore, a proposal to provide a tax relief or tax exemption for one sector of an industry, i.e. high street betting shops with an annual turnover of less than €2 million, and not provide it to other sectors, such as for example the remote sector, could give rise to State Aid concerns.