UK 'could lure gaming companies back with tax breaks'

2008-08-13 16:39:13

It is possible that the UK government would be able to entice gambling operators back to its shores if it offered tax breaks that are competitive with overseas destinations such as Gibraltar.

At least this is what has been suggested by Jake Pollard of eGaming Review Magazine, who said that one of the main reasons why firms go abroad in the first place is because of tax options, which take precedence over the desire of businessmen to stay close to their families.

"If the UK offered much better tax breaks competitive with offshore jurisdiction then I'm sure that a lot of operators would come back to the mainland," he commented.

The UK's remote gaming duty is currently set at 15 per cent, an amount which is "not appropriate" to the industry at the moment, according to William Hill's Ralph Topping.

In an interview with the Telegraph, the chief executive said that the levy needs to be reduced.