National Campaign against proposed doubling of Betting tax

Irish Bookmaking Industry Launches National Campaign Against 100pc Betting Tax Hike

Irish bookmakers have launched a national campaign to fight against proposals for a 100pc increase in the Betting Tax that would decimate the industry. The campaign has the support of almost every bookmaker in Ireland.

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The “Save Our Jobs” campaign, which is being coordinated by the Irish Bookmakers Association, is aimed at alerting legislators to the very dire consequences if the proposed doubling of Betting Tax goes ahead. These include the loss of an estimated 2,400 jobs in towns and cities across the country and the permanent closure of an estimated 400 of the 850 bookmaking shops operating in the country today.

Sharon Byrne, chairperson of the Irish Bookmakers Association, said:

“This proposal to increase Betting Tax by 100pc is without doubt the worst threat our industry has ever faced. We genuinely believe the Government did not fully appreciate the effect a doubling of the Betting Tax would have on our industry.

 “Since the Budget last week a number of bookmakers have already come forward to say that they do not expect to be in business after January 1st if this 100pc increase goes ahead. Those bookmakers who do survive will likely be forced to close a significant number of shops and to let many of their staff go.” 

As part of the Save-Our-Jobs campaign, the 7,000 people directly employed in the bookmaking sector are being encouraged to contact their local politicians to voice their concern about the doubling of the tax and ask them to intercede to prevent mass job losses.  Service companies supplying bookmakers who themselves employed a further 30,000 people will also be invited to show their support.

The 365,000 people who place a bet every month will be targeted in a poster campaign letting them know the tax hike will not only lead to wide-scale job losses but may also force the closure of their local bookie, and, of course, will severely affect competition in the industry.  A website, www.saveourjobs.ie, has been launched where employees, customers and members of the public can log on to show their support for the campaign.

Bookmakers supporting the Save Our Jobs campaign include, BoyleSports, Bruce Betting, Fox’s, JohnMullholand, LadbrokesCoral, mintbet, Pat Toolan, Sean Graham, Tracksports, and Tully Bookmakers.

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