Remote betting taxation and licensing
Bernard Durkan asks when legislation will ensure equal taxation and licensing of bookmakers and betting exchanges, including remote operators. The Taoiseach says the Bill requires redrafting and is likely to be republished during the session.
I will not encourage him. Notwithstanding 1959 and the Government of the day, when is the legislation being introduced to ensure the fair and equal treatment of all bookmakers and betting exchanges in taxation and licensing, regardless of the platform used, by bringing into the licensing and taxation regimes all remote bookmakers and betting intermediaries? This will amend the 1931 Act, which is even earlier than the 1959 Act. Have the heads of that Bill been discussed? This is important legislation I have received inquiries about, as I am sure have all other Deputies.
I am also interested in the children (amendment) Bill on the Order Paper, to amalgamate the children's detention schools in the interests of cost and administrative efficiencies. Has either Bill been discussed in Cabinet and when are they likely to come before the House?
Comment on this
The heads of the children's Bill were cleared on 23 April and the Bill will be introduced later this year. The betting Bill the Deputy referred to was published last year but so many amendments were required that it had to be redrafted and will probably be republished during this session.