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Casinos “under threat” as Bulgaria hikes taxes…
Bulgaria has raised gambling taxes by as much as 50 percent despite industry warnings that it could lead to job losses.
Under new regulations coming into force at the beginning of January, all forms of gambling will be taxed at 15 percent. Currently, taxes on sports betting are levied at ten percent, while other types of gambling – including casino gaming, the national lottery and bingo – are taxed at 12 percent.
The Bulgarian Association for Entertainment and Gambling Games had warned that casinos, already feeling the effect of the global economic downturn, could have to shed workers if the higher tax was imposed – and that if gaming firms were forced to close by the new tax regime, the net result for the government could be less, not more, income.
But Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, reportedly keen to avoid raising liquor taxes, pushed through the unified 15 percent gambling tax despite other politicians’ attempts to broker a compromise of 12 percent.
The Bulgarian government has also increased its quarterly fee payable by the owners of gaming machines and roulette tables. The tax payable on machines will rise from 300 leva ($230) every three months to 500 leva ($380), while the levy on roulette tables grows from 18,000 leva ($13,700) to 22,000 leva ($16,800).
More than half of Bulgarian citizens supported a higher gambling tax, according to a survey recently commissioned by the nation’s Finance Minister.
…while Poland tightens slots laws, considers ban on online gaming
Poland has tightened restrictions on gaming both inside and outside casinos. New regulations will introduce a legal minimum age of 18 for gamblers, and lead to the withdrawal of the estimated 50,000 slots currently found in many non-casino venues such as cafes and shops. However, casinos will now be allowed to operate 70 slot machines each, up from the current limit of 30.
The rules will also increase taxes on casinos’ profits from 45 percent to 50 percent and on betting services from two percent to 12 percent, as well as limiting advertising by gaming companies.
As Casino International went to press, the new law had been passed by both chambers of Poland’s parliament but still required the approval of President Lech Kaczynski.
Meanwhile, Poland is also considering giving teeth to its ban on Internet gaming, which is currently illegal within the country but in practice uncontrolled.
The government is considering adding gaming operators to a list of Websites which would be blocked to Poles, along with child pornography and extremist political sites.
