Online registration available to UK gambling operators

Businesses that offer gambling to UK customers from offshore need to get ready for key changes to betting and gaming taxes, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) urged. Since yesterday, gambling operators who become liable to these taxes for the first time can register for them online

Changes to the rules for Remote Gaming Duty (RGD), General Betting Duty (GBD) and Pool Betting Duty (PBD) come into effect on  December 1st  2014. 

Starting today, gambling operators who are liable to these taxes for the first time can register for them online at https://www.gov.uk/gambling-tax-service-registration-guide.

The taxes will move from being based on a ‘place of supply’ to a ‘place of consumption’. This means that, no matter where in the world a remote gambling operator is based, they will be liable to RGD, GBD and PBD if they offer remote gambling to a customer who usually lives in the UK. The changes include gambling offered over the internet.

Sally Beggs, HMRC Deputy Director, Gambling Taxes, said: “These new rules mean that all remote gambling businesses, whether based in the UK or elsewhere, will be taxed on the same basis. This will provide a level playing field so that all gambling by UK consumers is subject to UK tax.

“If your business is affected by these changes, you should register online as soon as possible and review your systems and procedures, in readiness for  December 1st."