Public gets more time to weigh in on proposed 20% online gambling tax
The National Treasury extended the public comment period for a proposed 20% tax on online gambling revenue.Summary
The National Treasury has extended the deadline for public comment on a proposal to introduce a 20% tax on online gambling by one month. This comes after political parties signaled support for taxing online gambling as an alternative to directly taxing financially struggling South Africans, as debated during the Mid-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS). Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana aims to avoid repeating last year’s unsuccessful attempt to raise revenue through a VAT increase. The Treasury estimates the tax could generate approximately R10 billion annually, but emphasizes the primary goal is to address the social issues associated with online gambling. Rise Mzansi MP Makashule Gana supports the tax, dismissing concerns about its constitutionality, stating, “We will not rest as Rise Mzansi until there are proper gambling reforms that protect lives and livelihoods because no nation has ever gambled itself to prosperity.”
(Source：Ewn)