PAUL BITTAR THE NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE BRITISH HORSERACING AUTHORITY

 http://www.turfcall.co.uk

GRAHAM GREEN FROM THE RACING POST BRINGS NEWS AS FOLLOWS:

(RP Tuesday February 7th 2012)

BITTAR GIVES SUPPORT AS MPs DEBATE OFFSHORE BETTING TAX

"BHA chief executive Paul Bittar last night gave his unqualified backing to MP Matthew  Hancock's Offshore Gambling Bill that is being debated in the House of Commons this afternoon (Monday February 6th 2012).

 

"The bill, which William Hill hope to see defeated after briefing MP's on the company's opposition, is designed to speed up the process of closing the tax loophole that allows bookmakers to avoid UK taxes and levy contributions by basing their online businesses outside the country.

"It calls for a new point-of-consumption approach to gambling licensing that would bring these operators under the auspices of the Gambling Commission where they would be subject to UK taxes, and levy payments.

 

"Among the major priorities facing Bittar is finding a solution to the sport's financial crisis, and he said; "The BHA, and the whole of racing, strongly supports and welcomes Matthew Hancock's motion and his continued efforts in seeking a sustainable future for our industry.

"I met today with our minister, John Penrose, to highlight many of the deep flaws in our funding mechanism, and the offshore location of the vast majority of telephone, internet and mobile betting platforms available to British punters is chief among them. It has taken a lot of work, but it is now government policy to switch gambling regulation to a point- of- consumption basis, and they are seeking a legislative time slot.

 

"The current situation is clearly having a detrimental impact on racing's finances, consumer protection in the UK, and also competition within the sector. It seems unarguable to me, and an issue of fairness. Of course, rates of and subsiquent legislation are a different matter and an area  in which the British betting industry can count on our support provided we get the right long-term-and mutually beneficial framework in place. Such a framework must start with capturing all betting  activity in this country on British racing, and the sport being able to share in the benefits from further technological innovation down the line."

"Hills claim setting a high tax rate for offshore online operators could drive punters to unlicensed sites."

J  MARGARET CLARKE TURFCALL  

BLOODHORSE ILLITERATE BOOKMAKER WILLIAM HILL  not so long ago managed to get the Bloodhorse Illiterate European Court of Justice to throw the bloodhorse illiterate British horseracing's claim out of court, a claim for a fairer financial return from bookmakers. But was the Bloodhorse Illiterate European Court of Justice honourable, just and fair to allow Bloodhorse Illiterate William Hills allegations to stand?  Would they stand legally today?

It has been evident over decades that bloodhorse illiteracy has been the direct cause of the plight British horseracing now finds itself in today.  Bloodhorse illiteracy that knows no better but to take monies earned by others instead for themselves. A passport for all  and sundry to cash in big time taking money earned by the bloodhorse literate, the reason why William Hill has managed to get such a grip on monies earned off the back's of the bloodhorse literate.  Without those who work each and every day at the dangerous sharp end of horseracing with the horses,  there would be no horseracing. Is this the horseracing we are going to leave all the little children who are growing up now to inherit? Sharp practices as these?

HORSERACING A UNIQUE AND REMARKABLE SPORT