"The boss of the UK's main betting and gaming lobby group has told MPs that there is no social ill with gambling as she warned against imposing higher taxes on the sector in the November budget. Grainne Hurst, the chief executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, repeatedly made the statement to parliament's Treasury select committee on Tuesday, where she also claimed that higher taxes would result in thousands of job losses and push punters into using hidden market services."
"Hurst responded: I would disagree that there are social ills as a result of it. I think that it is properly taxed in the system Our argument is that if you increase further any additional taxes on the industry it will put jobs at risk, will put shops at risk, will put sports sponsorship at risk."
Grainne Hurst, chief executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, denied that gambling creates social ills and opposed higher gambling taxes in the November budget. She argued that increased taxation would cause thousands of job losses, threaten high-street shops and sports sponsorship, and push punters toward hidden-market services. Industry lobbying targeted heavier taxes on risky products such as online casinos and adult gaming centre betting machines. A parliamentary committee noted public and government frustration that taxation may not address harms to affected individuals. Expert witnesses recommended higher taxes on the riskiest products while keeping lower rates for bingo and horse racing.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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