Irish Bookmakers Association

Lobbying Organisation Irish Bookmakers Association

Date published 12 Sep, 2019

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Taxation

Period 1 May, 2019 to 31 Aug, 2019

Specific Details 100% Increase in betting tax introduced in budget 2019, has closed 35 betting shops and will cause thousands of job losses across Ireland, particularly Rural Ireland. This will have; a devastating effect on many families with unnecessary job losses, reduce tax receipts, reduce competition, force customers to bet with online operators, force customers to bet with illegal operators (with no customer protection or age verification processes) in areas where there is no other betting shop

Intended results Attempt to get the 100% increase in betting tax reversed, so that a fairer tax mechanism could be introduced, which would collect more tax for the exchequer than the proposed 100% increase would have achieved and would save thousands of jobs as a result of this change to the mechanism. Betting tax is unlike all other taxes - it is charged on Turnover despite making a profit or loss and it must be borne by the bookie as it cannot be passed on to customers Inform Government on proposed change to Lottery bill which would affect a product existing in betting shops for over 30 years, which is an entirely different product with totally different staking opportunities.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Sharon Byrne

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? Yes

What is the directive you gave to the grassroots campaigners? All members were actively encouranged to contact all local political representatives, to outline how a 100% increase would effect them and how many jobs would be lost. To provide them with factual/audited information where available. To encourage employees to contact any politicians they may know to highlight the unintended consequence of the 100% increase. We instigated a nationwide poster campaign and and an online petition. All members were encouraged to continuously promote the severe difficulties the 100% increase would have on their business and the numbers of staff employed. All members were provided with email templates and draft letters to provide to all politicians. They were also encouraged to speak to the media outlining their position.

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Email All Oireachtas Members All Politicians were sent emails and letters throughout the period and since the last budget. Emails included figures relating to closures and potential closures, outlining the severe unintended consequences of applying a 100% increase in betting tax. It also shows that bookmakers effective tax rate now forces them they pay 10 times more in tax than profits made. We also provided copies of audited figures for some members which clearly shows the 100% increase plunges a successful business for over 40 years into a severe loss making situation. This will be replicated across the independent sector if the current 100% remains in place. Other various pieces of information was provided by the IBA summarising the economic activity of bookmakers in Ireland and listing the closures in towns across Ireland. The emails also requested a meeting to discuss the contents further.

Email All Oireachtas Members To inform politicians of the unintended consequences of the proposed amendment to Section 26 of the Gaming & Lotteries (Amendment bill) 2019. There are some political concerns regarding foreign online operators offering a competing product in Ireland to the National lottery, however, if this amendment or a similar amendment were to be implemented as currently worded, it could have serious negative legal consequences and remove a product in existence for over 30 years which is entirely different from product offered by National Lottery and has had a different staking method. It would also commercially assist/benefit a monopoly supplier in Ireland by excluding competition and choice for Irish consumers and uses legislation to further increase profits for that monopoly.

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (1)

Several politicians were met during this return period to discuss the the severe unintended consequences of applying a 100% increase in betting tax, copies of audited figures for some members were provided which clearly showed how the 100% increase plunges a successful business for over 40 years into a severe loss making situation and various other pieces of information was provided by the IBA summarising the economic activity of bookmakers in Ireland.

Meeting (1)

To inform politicians of the unintended consequences of the proposed amendment to Section 26 of the Gaming & Lotteries (Amendment bill) 2019. There are some political concerns regarding foreign online operators offering a competing product in Ireland to the National lottery, however, if this amendment or a similar amendment were to be implemented as currently worded, it could have serious negative legal consequences and remove a product in existence for over 30 years which is entirely different from product offered by National Lottery and has had a different staking method. It would also commercially assist/benefit a monopoly supplier in Ireland by excluding competition and choice for Irish consumers and uses legislation to further increase profits for that monopoly.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Robert Troy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Joe Carey TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paschal Donohoe Minister (Department of Finance)

Shane Ross Minister (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)

Peter Burke TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Regina Doherty Minister (Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection)

Jim O'Callaghan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Peter Fitzpatrick TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)