Former Paddy Power Boss Calls For Gambling Tax Hikes To Deter
The former employer of Paddy Power has called for greater gaming taxes to prevent bookies from methods that draw punters into more addictive video games, as he said earnings across the sector were "blowing up".
Stewart Kenny, who co-founded the wagering company however has ended up being a critic of the industry's methods because retiring, also accused firms of "scaremongering" over warnings about betting tax hikes.
Mr Kenny informed MPs on the Treasury Committee: "I actually think that, for the parts of the market that are the most damage, that you tax greater to disincentivise the bookmakers from sucking you from the sports book into the online gambling establishment."
I do not see any reason that wagering shops or individuals used in wagering stores should go down because of the tax rises
Stewart Kenny, Paddy Power co-founder
He said wagering firms are drawing people "from the least-addictive item to the most-addictive product" by handing out complimentary spins on their online casino when they make an account to bet on sports.
This was a larger problem for younger people whose lives could be "destroyed" by problem betting, he stated.
Mr Kenny likewise turned down claims from betting companies that higher taxation would impact jobs in the sector and drive more people towards black market betting.
"It is scaremongering," he informed the MPs.
"I was using precisely the same arguments 25 years ago ... and wagering services have exploded in revenues.
"I do not see any factor why betting stores or people employed in betting stores should go down because of the tax rises," he said, adding that he does not visualize punters getting a "bad deal" as an outcome.
Parent company Flutter, which also owns Betfair and Sky Bet, told Paddy Power personnel previously this month it was shutting 57 of their wagering stores in the UK and Ireland, putting almost 250 employees at risk.
Stewart Kenny rejected claims from gambling firms that tax rises would result in task losses in the sector (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA)
The US-listed business blamed the closures on "increasing expense pressures and tough market conditions".
A representative for the UK and Ireland likewise alerted that a "greater betting tax could have a considerable effect on jobs and investment across the market and drive more into open arms of unlicensed operators on the illegal, black market".
William Hill owner Evoke also just recently stated it was considering "further store closures" if it is hit by tax boosts in the UK.
On Monday, research study commissioned by the Betting and Gaming Council found that proposed tax walkings run the risk of the loss of 40,000 tasks and might divert ₤ 8.4 billion to the black market.
Mr Kenny, who stepped down from the board of Paddy Power almost a years ago, said there are still parts of the betting market that he believes can "grow".
"I became part of the system, I have substantial regrets, however I'm still a follower in the gaming market becoming part of the entertainment mix," he stated.
He said disincentivising business to entice punters towards "highly addicting" online casinos could help them "return to marketing horse racing and betting on regular occasions".
Theo Bertram, director of the Social Market Foundation, which argues the betting industry must be taxed more, informed MPs activities such as horseracing need to be secured.
During the committee session he stated: "Don't let the gambling industry pretend to you that resting on your phone, being addicted to that app and losing thousands of pounds is in some way putting more individuals in your constituency into work."