Ireland Considers Raising Betting Duty to Support Hospitality Sector

Ireland’s government is weighing changes to gambling taxation as part of a wider plan to ease pressure on the hospitality industry. With a higher minimum wage set to take effect, policymakers are exploring ways to reduce VAT on hospitality services while offsetting the expected revenue loss.

Good to know

• Betting duty in Ireland currently stands at 2%.
• A possible increase is under review to balance a planned VAT cut for hospitality.
• The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland is also developing a Social Impact Levy.

According to The Sunday Times, officials are considering an increase in betting duty to help fill the gap created by lowering VAT in the hospitality sector. The move would mark another example of governments looking at gambling revenues as a reliable source of funding for public programs.

While no final decision has been made, the discussions highlight how gambling taxation is becoming intertwined with broader economic policy in Ireland.

The debate over betting duty comes just months after Ireland implemented the Gambling Regulation Bill of Ireland (GRBI), which replaced outdated laws from the early 20th century. Passed in 2024, the bill laid the foundation for modern oversight of the industry but did not directly introduce fiscal measures.

Government ministers noted at the time that the GRBI created a platform for future reforms in gambling taxation, including new mechanisms to fund social programs.

Under the GRBI framework, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) was established to oversee the sector and create a Social Impact Levy. This levy, still under development, will channel gambling revenues into programs addressing addiction treatment, prevention, and support services.

If the proposed betting duty increase is approved, it would run parallel to the levy and add another layer of revenue collection from the industry.

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