Irish Bookmakers Association exclusive: New tax rate will close most independent operators

Irish Bookmakers Association (IBA) chairperson Sharon Byrne fears most independent bookmakers in Ireland will not be open on 1 January if the new betting tax is implemented. Finance minister Paschal Donohoe yesterday announced plans to double betting tax from 1% to 2% in the 2019 Budget. The Irish government has forecasted this new rate to generate an additional €40m ($45.5m) in revenue during 2019. However, Byrne believes betting shops ar...