MPs pass bill on gambling revenues taxation

The Czech lower house on Tuesday passed a new bill allocating revenues from gambling to the state and municipalities. If the bill is signed into law by the president, municipalities will keep 80 percent of revenues from gambling machines and the rest will go to the state budget. Local authorities will also keep 70 percent of revenues from casinos, lotteries and other games. The new legislation should enter into force in January 2012.

The gambling taxation bill, part of the government’s tax reform package, was originally approved by the lower house in November but left a loophole for lottery firms to use part of the revenues for charitable projects of their choice. The bill was amended in the Senate which removed the loophole before returning it to the lower house for the final vote.

Author: Jan Richter