UK sportsbook operator William Hill has resumed its war of words with the betting exchange industry.
David Harding, chief executive of William Hill, told an industry audience on Tuesday he was pressing the UK government for a “level playing field” on taxation.
And he called on the government to amend the Gambling Bill to change the tax treatment of the betting exchanges.
“We are going to continue to lobby the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to implement an equitable tax regime,” Harding said.
Harding, who has been one of the most outspoken critics of betting exchanges to date, renewed his call for punters laying large amounts on the exchanges to be taxed as bookmakers.
"We don't want to see them banned, but… if people are using exchanges to conduct a business, they should be subject to the same licensing system that we are,” he said.
But Betfair, the market leading betting exchange, hit back at the claims, saying the arguments in support of taxing players were “completely bogus”.
"Amending the Gambling Bill as the traditional bookmakers wish will actively work against the aims of the Bill, by encouraging people to seek out alternative platforms on which to bet, outside the regulatory framework,” Antonia Sharpe, Betfair’s spokesman, said.
Several of the UK’s largest sportsbooks are rumoured to be considering launching a betting exchange, but William Hill remains adamant it will not follow suit.
Harding confirmed when pressed by Betdaq managing director Rob Hartnett that William Hill would not launch a betting exchange in 2005.
source : egaming review magazine
