21/01/10

Speaking at the launch of 'Raising The Stakes' Labour Proposals to Tax Remote Betting and Reform the Funding of the Horse and Greyhound Fund, Deputy Sherlock said "The document we are publishing today highlights in a very useful way, some of the emerging issues in the racing industries that really need to be tackled.One area of particular concern to me is the fact that while a bet placed by a punter in a high street bookie is subject to a betting levy, a bet placed online, on the same horse, in the same race, is tax freeThis situation is not sustainable. We believe that it is fair that remote gambling operations pay their fair share the same as high street bookmakers. Every bet placed in the Irish state should contribute to the betting levy, regardless of the method of placement."

 

"In more general terms, the industry must reflect the concerns, of not just the of the high-rollers who may own and race dozens of horses, but also of the smaller player who may own one or two horses on a few acres.I believe that any measures that will enable the racing industry to become more self-sufficient and less reliant on direct funding form the public purse, are to be welcomed."

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