Possible Statutory Levy to be imposed on Gamlbing industry
8th January, 2009
The gambling industry has had a tough time in terms of government restrictions, taxation and legislation in recent years. The most recent blow has been the possible introduction of a Statutory Levy in funds paid to the Research in Gambling Trust (RIGT), after donations last year fell short by £1.2 million.
The existing voluntary system failed to meet targets of £5 million, and as a result minster of Culture Andy Burnham is thought to have “finally lost patience” with the industry. Several large betting firms and gambling associations have blamed the economic crisis as a major reason the target was not met.
Russ Phillips of the Assocation of British bookmakers (ABB) said in a statement, “The sums involved are significant, particularly against the background of the credit crunch and its effect on bookmakers’ businesses, which already face the additional costs of Turf TV, Gambling Commission fees and regulation,”
RGA Chief Executive Clive Hackswood commented on the situation saying, “It’s a voluntary system when every other charity in the country is making cutbacks because donations are falling. So we will have to see what commitments we can raise, and if companies say they undertake to pay X amount over the next three years, the Gambling Commission is just going to have to trust them,”
Many industry experts believe a Statutory levy system is now firmly on the cards, as the government looks tighten their grip on donations and funding supplied by gambling businesses.
By Jamie
