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banner Tuesday, 21 March, 2000, 18:57 GMT
Review into betting duty

Customs are to consult on reforming general betting duty to help the UK's gambling and racing industries counter offshore betting.

But general betting duty, which applies to bets made with a bookmaker, will remain at its current level for at least 12 months after Chancellor Gordon Brown decided against an immediate reduction in his Budget.


Proceeds from general betting duty
£462m in 1997/98
£480m in 1998/99
Receipts for the first 11 months of this financial year are 3% up on the same period last year
The exercise aims to allow UK-based bookmakers to compete against offshore betting offered via the internet.

The consultation process will look at requiring the bookmaker to account for duty based on the location of the person placing the bet

It will also consider basing duty on the gross profits of a bookmaking business.

Arcade machines

The consultation is expected to feature in the chancellor's pre-Budget report in the autumn and be included in next year's Budget.

The British Horseracing Board has been lobbying for a cut in general betting duty from 6.75% to 5% while bookmakers want it cut to 3%.

But the government did announce it was to abolish duty on certain types of slot machines traditionally found in seaside arcades.

Duty on the type of jackpot machines found in social clubs will also be cut.

A statement by the Treasury said the move of some bookmakers offshore has had little impact on the general betting duty yield which is still on the increase.

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