PRE-BUDGET REPORT: Betting - Offshore bookies face UK advertising ban
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE GOVERNMENT is clamping down on offshore bookmaking in what Gordon Brown claimed was an attempt to protect Britain's betting and racing industries.
The Chancellor announced that he is to close a loophole in the law that allows offshore bookies to advertise to UK gamblers on Teletext and electronic media. The move follows the failure of the Government's legal attempt to stop Victor Chandler International advertising its Gibraltar-based bookmakers in the UK.
Betting groups responded by renewing their call for a cut in betting taxes, which raise pounds 1.7bn annually. A spokesman for Hilton, whose Ladbroke's International offshore operations started to accept UK business two weeks ago, said: "It is still unclear exactly what effective action the Government plans."
A spokesman for William Hill, which has an offshore operation in the Isle of Man not marketed at UK gamblers, said: "The ideal situation is to cut betting duty and allow us to compete with the offshore players." In May, Victor Chandler International, which is being acquired by Enic, the entertainment group, broke a long-standing voluntary code preventing UK bookies accepting offshore bets from UK gamblers. The Government is appealing against a High Court ruling in July that the company is operating legally by advertising on Teletext.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments