bad news for all Germans on here

use a proxy

danyo, where did you get this info???

betfair-exchange-tax-dispute-compels-german-exit/

Betfair Group plc
7 November 2012

UPDATE ON GERMANY

As previously indicated, in July 2012 Germany introduced a law that applies a 5% tax on stakes on sports betting in the country. A tax at this rate, if applicable, would make Betfair's current exchange model unviable. Following detailed opinions provided by its legal and tax advisors, Betfair believes that, in regard to bets placed on its exchange, it is not an organiser of sports betting under the tax law and is not, therefore, liable for the tax.

Betfair has been working with the relevant tax authorities to seek clarification on interpretation of the law and its applicability to exchanges. The company is disappointed, however, that to date the tax authorities have not been able to agree to an interpretation of the law that would allow Betfair to continue to offer the exchange product. Consequently, Betfair has decided to withdraw its exchange product from the German market.

Following this decision, on-going contribution from Germany is expected to be de minimis and Betfair is reviewing its operations in this market. In FY12, approximately 4% of Core Betfair revenue came from Germany and this revenue delivered a contribution of approximately £6 million before the allocation of central costs.

The company believes that it has fulfilled all of its obligations under German law, including the filing of necessary tax returns. Discussions are continuing with tax authorities regarding the potential tax liability, if any, arising from bets placed on its exchange since the law came into effect.

Shiite! I knew it was coming, read about it many moons ago, but didn´t know it was imminent.

Although my account is registered in UK I live in Germany, so presumably my IP will bar me? I have to find a reliable proxy server now I suppose...

Anyone?

There's a discussion on the tennis forum. According to a poster there, it's nothing to do with IP addresses.

but you're always gonna need an address in another country... and surely betfair will ask for some papers with that info for confirmation

betfair had told me that if greece ban betfair they can send me a link that i bet on exchange. could you ask them about that?

and Italy

What countries for the moment still allow betfair (Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland....??), easier said than done but anyway you could get a postal address in those countries ie if you have  relative living there??? just a thought

poland?

e) Your Personal Information

Please ensure that you enter a valid e-mail address that is only accessible by you. From time to time Betfair may send information which is specific to your account.

Please ensure that you enter valid phone numbers in case we need to contact you about a betting matter. You will never receive unsolicited calls.

The personal questions that you select and answer will be used to assist us in identifying you if you forget your password or need to contact our helpdesk by telephone.

Please ensure your personal information is kept up to date. You can amend it at any time by accessing your 'Profile' under 'My Account'.


f) Your Account Information

You cannot change your account currency.

You can amend other details on your account (such as your preferred betting region) at any time by accessing your 'Profile' under 'My Account'.



Since the EU and the removal of boundaries it's very important to make sure that those of us that like to take advantage of this and move around a lot do keep Betfair up to date with our address information. I like to keep on top of these things and am more than pleased to keep my personal information up to date, after all I don't want to miss out on the christmas hamper wherever I might be.

Complaint over new Greek gambling law
Article | October 4, 2011 - 12:19pm

The Remote Gambling Association (RGA) has lodged a complaint with the European Commission regarding the legality of new gambling legislation in Greece.

If allowed to stand, the legislation will effectively provide OPAP, the largest gambling association in Greece, a favourable position in terms of taxation.

The Greek government currently owns 34% of OPAP, which is currently the only gambling organisation allowed to offer sports betting and lottery products to Greek consumers.

The new law requires all online gambling organisations to pay a 30% gross profit tax on gambling products, something that OPAP would be exempt from, as it is an offline organisation. This puts Greek taxation on online gambling much higher than many other countries; only Spain's 25% taxation laws come close.

The law also requires online associations to impose a 10% withholding tax on all of their customers winnings, but OPAP's consumers are only taxed if their winnings are over €100.

    The RGA's case revolves around the Greek government's inability to objectively justify the new tax, along with the fact that most European online gambling sites impose a lower tax than their offline counterparts. “Remote operators wish to obtain licences in Greece and to continue to offer Greek consumers competitive and well-regulated products,” Clive Hawkswood, Chief Executive of the RGA, said. “However the current unjustified fiscal favouritism being afforded to OPAP makes this extremely difficult and we urge the European Commission to investigate the new legislation for being in breach of State aid rules.”

Hawskwood also stressed that the RGA was not trying to suggest equal taxation for both gambling mediums, just that the new tax requirements be justified by the proper authorities.

“We are fully aware of the fiscal pressures on the Greek authorities at present, but they do not justify the imposition of anti-competitive tax provisions which benefit the existing monopoly gambling provider over private online operators soon to be licensed in Greece”, Hawswood went on to say. “Not only does such action not conform with EU State aid rules, but if implemented, it will have a damaging impact on the private sector and associated growth and employment opportunities, as well as curbing competition and consumer choice.”

If somebody in germany wants to bet on betfair but Germany bans it, how can they do it?  what is a vpn server.  How easy is it to set up?


easy


how much to set it up?


there are some free ones, but better to used a paid service. The free ones get real busy and dont work when u need
it varies but from 10 quid a month


where can someone go to get one?


is the person in germany?


yes


ok I will send you a few links all are good
http://www.purevpn.com/vpn-service/de-vpn-services.php
http://www.purevpn.com/



nice one.  can I post that on betfair forum?


sure, it is not illegal
a point to note tho, countries can block sites
I mean like they block betfair they also sometimes block vpns
it is rare but in dubai they did



I need to do it for when I go to America too


use the second one then
they are good for a lot of countries
including USA
Canada
but both can I just checked



thanks mate!

can you use betdack instead?

here is a tip to get round the german situation:

if you have a friend or preferably a family member living in the UK open a BF account and internet bank account registered at the UK address. You will then be considered a British user and not be banned from using BF, no matter where your IP address says you are.

it does work...

ze Betfair ist klosed, pleeze go avay

Hi all