Time for uk gov to get tough on bookies?

Major highstreet and internet bookie wm hill has moved their operation`s offshore,where they are not liable for the 15% tax and 10% levy board charge.

Also just been reported that the uk`s biggest firm Ladbrokes has also confirmned today that they are pulling out and moving to Gibralta where it is believed they will pay tax at 2%.

Don`t know what percentage of their buisness is done online but with them announcing massive "high roller" profits this year ,this will really dent stakes,with some estimates being put at £40m..

Ladbrokes online follow William Hill to Gibraltar

LADBROKES will transfer their internet sportsbook operations to Gibraltar by the end of the year.

The move comes after rivals William Hill opted to do the same and like Hills, Ladbrokes are keeping their call-centre operations for telephone betting in the UK.

Ladbrokes sportsbook operations are currently based in Rayners Lane, near Harrow, London, and incur 15 per cent gross profits tax and VAT on input costs, as well as the betting levy of ten per cent of gross profits on British horseracing.

Companies operating internet services offshore generally pay profits taxes of up to two per cent, and and are not subject to the UK betting levy.

Ladbrokes chief executive Chris Bell said: "Our award-winning sportsbook Ladbrokes.com is the biggest in the UK market but faces aggressive competition from offshore operators who hold a very significant cost advantages by operating from low tax jurisdictions.

"Operating from the UK has become unsustainable and we will relocate by the year end."