Key Takeaways
- The UK’s proposed Gambling (Licensing And Advertising) Bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons last week.
- The debate raised the issue of tax as being critical since the tax level would determine the size of the “gray” market.
- MP Philip Davis said:“This has nothing to do with regulation or player protection; it is about taxation and tax rates…”
- The Minister Helen Grant replied: “...we absolutely reject the assertion that the licensing reforms are being pursued in order to generate tax income.”
- Potential legal challenges remain.
This has nothing to do with regulation or player protection; it is about taxation and tax rates, as the Treasury made abundantly clear in its forecast.
The UK’s proposed Gambling (Licensing And Advertising) Bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons last week. The debate brought to the fore many points that suggested that the Bill risks not achieving its avowed aim of consumer protection.
MP Philip Davis said that the government’s strategy to improve consumer protection was “complete nonsense,” and he proclaimed: “This has nothing to do with regulation or player protection; it is about taxation and tax rates, as the Treasury made abundantly clear in its forecast.”
