Odds shortened: Minister advised to increase tax

It might not be the week to discuss killjoy measures but the fact that Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has been told that the “opportune time” to double betting tax had arrived suggests it may be. This department advice adds to the pressure to increase gambling taxes which, officials say, could yield €50m a year for a 1% increase. Do the maths.

The advice now seems appropriate as a growing swathe of the gambling market is controlled by international businesses that operate universally. The industry employs almost 7,000 people in Ireland, some of whom work for international organisations.