The New Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

Will he be able to order to gambling commission to investigate the PC charge on here?

My concern is that the proposed changes in December were supposed to be nothing to with tax but to protect consumers. It was supposed to be about protecting UK citizens from bookies that were not regulated enough. That is fine and seems ok by EU law.

But the comments by Mr Sajid Javid seem to all be about tax. Is it legal to change the goal posts at this stage? He is quoted:

“It is unacceptable that gambling companies can avoid UK taxes by moving offshore, and the government is taking decisive action to ensure this can no longer happen,” Economic Secretary to the Treasury Sajid Javid said in a press statement.

“Some remote gambling operators avoid paying UK taxes by basing themselves offshore. The new rules will create a level playing field across the industry,” said the minister.

The changes, which are due to come into force on December 1 2014, will mean that all remote gambling companies will be taxed on their gambling profits from UK customers.

“Currently, remote gambling operators can, and do, avoid UK taxes by basing themselves offshore. The new rules will create a level playing field across the industry,” he said.

Mr Javid said the new rules will be supported by tough enforcement measures, including the creation of new criminal offences.

“Failure to comply with them could result in prison sentences of up to seven years, unlimited fines, or the loss of a remote gambling operator’s licence to operate,” he said.

He added that this follows last year’s announcement that the government would move to taxing gambling on a ‘place of consumption’, rather than on a ‘place of supply’ basis, so that all remote gambling by UK customers, generally carried out online or on the telephone, will be taxed in the UK.

I dont know what will happen to bookies like Pinnacle that have unknown ownership so will find it hard to get a UK license. They also seem to be asking new licensees to give details of their European breakdown of business.

So much for free trade within the EU and white listed licensing. It looks like a blatant tax grab.

Having said all that companies like Betfair were already highly profitable before they moved to Gib to avoid the 15% GPT. They have no excuse to raise prices because of this.

He is not religous .

Does not pray /go to mosque etc

Basically he is an atheist if you read between the lines of what he has said on the subject , though understandably does not broadcast that too loud.

"Having said all that companies like Betfair were already highly profitable before they moved to Gib to avoid the 15% GPT. They have no excuse to raise prices because of this."

It's a much better excuse than the one they used when they increased commission for foreigners by 30%. But maybe they think foreigners should pay that tax for the British.

Tobermory, you've highlighted an interesting point that I have recently discussed with someone. If you are a white atheist, you are not given any religious label. Whereas it seems anyone brought up to a jewish, muslim, Sikh, hindi etc background is invariably described as such even though they may be atheist.