Sports tax relief for Russian bookmakers

Russian online and land bookmakers will be heaving a sigh of relief this week at the news that the Russian government’s mandatory 3 percent of revenue per quarter bookmaker’s ‘donation’ to sports development has been reduced to 1 percent per quarter.

The more reasonable level set by the Finance Ministry follows widespread protest by bookies that 3 percent per quarter would so erode already slim margins as to force them out of business.

Darina Denisova, director of the Association of Bookmaking Shops trade body, said in a statement:

“I am glad that the Finance Ministry has given ear to the position of the betting community and was able to promptly make adjustments. But I want to add that this is only the beginning of a dialogue between the state and bookmakers.

“Our industry still needs well-defined “rules of the game” in regard to taxes, which should be clear and reasonable for licensed market participants.”

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