EC confirms no tax assesment on Gibraltar online operators

The Gibraltar Chronicle reports that the European Commission (EC) does not intend putting Gibraltar’s gaming industry under the microscope as part of its clamp down on tax evasion and tax havens.

The EC made the statement in response to Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella who claimed that Gibraltar-based gaming companies were party to unfair competition, he also requested an assessment on how the Gibraltar gaming sector impacts the European job market.

European Commission for Taxation, Customs, Anti-Fraud, Audit and Statistics Algirdas Šemeta said in a statement: “The Commission is not currently taking any actions in the area of direct taxation specifically targeting online gambling operators established in Gibraltar, nor is the Commission planning to undertake an impact analysis of gambling operations in Gibraltar.”  He also said, “Member States are entitled to establish the tax regimes they see fit, so long as these comply with EU law.”

With reference to Tarabella’s unfair competition comment, Šemeta said European member states were welcome to introduce anti-abuse measures thought necessary to defend their tax base as long as they comply with EU law.  “There is no blanket exemption from VAT for gambling and tax may be due depending on where customers are located and how Member States implement any exemption,”  he said.

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