Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move recommendation No. 15:

In page 110, after line 17, to insert the following:

"Betting duty and remote licence for racecourse bookmakers

60. The Minister shall, within three months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before the Oireachtas a report on the treatment of racecourse bookmakers under the Betting Acts and the application of remote licences and the betting duty on racecourse bookmakers.".

This recommendation recommends that the Minister, within three months of the passing of this Act, shall prepare and lay before the Oireachtas a report on the treatment of racecourse bookmakers under the Betting Acts and the application of remote licences and the betting duty on racecourse bookmakers. This amendment does not deal with large bookmakers who have many shops, it specifically relates to bookmakers on racecourses. The Betting Act 2015 does not mention racecourse bookmakers or the on-course market. The law requires licensed bookmakers to take out remote licences if the remote turnover bets conducted by telephone, online or by other telegraphic means exceeds 10% of their business or €250,000, whichever is lower. Activity on a betting exchange is regarded as remote turnover. The cost of a licence is €5,000 per annum for bookmakers with a turnover of less than €60 million. Over 60% of the 128 active racecourse bookmakers have a total annual turnover of less than €500,000 and many of them cannot afford this cost. Traditionally, racecourse bookmakers have been exempt from betting duty, which is not applied to bets struck where an event takes place. The report we are seeking would examine the possibility of reinstating this exemption, so it is to examine the tax treatment, licences and betting duty as regards on-course bookmakers.