Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason betting companies operating primarily (a) over the phone and (b) by direct debit are included in the proposed single Remote Betting and Gaming Duty.

The Government is consulting on proposals to simplify the current gambling tax system by merging the three current taxes that cover remote gambling into one.

The definition of ‘remote gambling’ in the Gambling Act 2005 means gambling in which persons participate by the use of remote communication.

“In this Act “remote communication” means communication using —

a) the internet,

b) telephone,

c) television,

d) radio, or

e) any other kind of electronic or other technology for facilitating communication”

The consultation asks respondents to share views on whether this definition is appropriate for the proposed Remote Betting and Gaming duty (RBGD). As such, I would encourage interested parties to respond to it.