Tax reprieve for Bahamas online punters

Online punters in the Bahamas will be relieved, albeit temporarily, at the news that technical implementation problems have delayed government’s intention to tax players 5 percent of their deposits nd purchases of lottery products on computers situated in retail outlets locally dubbed Web Shops.

Local media reports quoted government minister Dinoisio D’Aguilar, who explained that the problem involved having to re-certify the systems and games impacted by the tax, which will now only be imposed at the end of August.

Unfortunately for the Web Shop operators, the situation will not deliver similar delays for them; they will face significant increases in tax on their revenue, effective from July 1 this year.

The estimated 260 Web Shop operators have waged a so far unsuccessful but vigorous lobbying campaign to head off the government tax increases, warning that the rise in overheads will result in shop closures and job losses.

Operators also offer online casino action in their retail shops, and are reportedly disgruntled that land casino resorts have not had to face similar tax hikes on their products..

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