Betting tax hike would not have hit business

AFTER intense lobbying by bookies who held meetings with Finance Minister Brian Lenihan, plans to double the rate of betting tax from 1% to 2% have been scrapped once again.

Another U-turn from our finance minister – he must be getting dizzy by now. I don’t believe that hundreds of betting shops would close and that up to 2,000 jobs could be lost. I think someone placing a €100 bet currently costing €101 will still place the bet if it costs €102. By not going ahead with this increase, €40m will be lost to the Government. Of course the minster can make it up by increasing the income levy again on the already overtaxed PAYE worker.

You don’t see too many bookies going to the social welfare office to sign on. It’s a pity Mr Lenihan didn’t consult with all the taxpayers in the country before he introduced the income levy and doubled the health levy.