Your Input Please UK Gambling Tax rise just announced

[Betreels Casino & Sports]

The UKGC charges tax on GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue). They also charge tax on Free Money (bonuses) given. At the current 15%, it is hard for casinos to break even. Now, to push it to 21% means that a lot of casinos will not make profit. You will see the big operators buying brands that are successful in other countries where taxes are less (William Hill trying to acquire Mr. Green as an example).

We have asked to challenge the UKGC on their tax policy (especially on free money), but it does not seem likely to happen.

 

[zreb]

The UKGC charges tax on GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue). They also charge tax on Free Money (bonuses) given. At the current 15%, it is hard for casinos to break even. Now, to push it to 21% means that a lot of casinos will not make profit. You will see the big operators buying brands that are successful in other countries where taxes are less (William Hill trying to acquire Mr. Green as an example).

We have asked to challenge the UKGC on their tax policy (especially on free money), but it does not seem likely to happen.

I absolutely agree that it's ridiculous that bonus money gets taxed, but this might be payback for years of misleading promotions offering "free money." Obviously everyone here knows what that means, but a new player thinking they deposit $100 and get a magic $100 free might be misled by that type of thing. (Not accusing your casino in particular, but the industry as a whole.)

So now casinos are put in the position where they have to argue that "free bonus money" isn't really money at all... which of course it isn't. I don't know what advertising looks like in the UK, but I remember there was a huge advertising blitz in the U.S. a few years ago with all of the "daily fantasy sports" stuff. Ridiculous commercials trying to entice Joe the couch slob that his years in front of the tv would make him a sports genius, so sign up to get your free $200 and start winning. Always wondered if they were pushing up against any misleading advertising laws there.