15% Point of Consumption tax in the UK worsened the situation

Peter Howitt, Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association (GBGA) CEO has attracted public attention recently due to his connection with online gaming industry and the UK.

The UK Gambling Bill offered the new 15% Point of Consumption (POC) tax for online gaming operators and it has begun to be fulfilled since December, 1 after being passed by the House of Lords in March 2014 and received its Royal Assent in May 2014.

The procrastination of the act was made because Howitt and the GBGA challenging the bill in higher courts motivating this with the fact that UK gaming operators are in more favorable condition than other foreign gambling providers.

Howitt commented the influence the tax act may have on Gibraltar, “Gibraltar is one of the places with the most favorable legislature for online gaming. More than 3000 professionals are involved into this business. The changes introduced by the UK to its tax regulations has shaken the attitude of the operators, they lost their faith in the UK.”

But GBGA has still got a chance to challenge this new act in 2015, and as Howitt remarks, there are still hopes for the positive decision. The situation on the UK gambling market has really become worse, so it is necessary to introduce some changes and the authorities should understand this.

Dutch gambling tax

Dutch gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) proposed to pre-apply for Dutch gaming licenses in waiting for the new gambling bill which is going to be imposed and it was accused of impropriety for this.

This didn’t pass unnoticed by the gaming operators, and William Hill asked its partners to stop operating there.