Piotr Serafin’s opinion was eagerly awaited among MEPs. On Wednesday 20 May, the European Commissioner for budget, anti-fraud and public administration participated in a debate in the Strasbourg Chamber regarding a possible EU tax on online gambling, one of three additional avenues for new own resources proposed by Parliament to finance the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) (see EUROPE 13849/14). But Mr Serafin refrained from taking a position at this stage. The Commission is working on an “objective and comprehensive assessment“ of these proposals, which should be unveiled “relatively soon”, he merely said.
MEPs, for their part, reiterated their broad support for the plan. Nevertheless, some questions and criticism were raised regarding the scope of EU powers. For instance, Irish MEP Michael McNamara (Renew Europe) advocated for “an increase in taxes” on online betting operators, “who are, in particular, destroying the lives of an increasing number of young people”, while asking whether the EU levy would be added to existing national taxes or replace them.
On the far right, French Rassemblement National MEP Julien Sanchez (Patriots for Europe) denounced the move as an attempt “to extend [the EU’s] fiscal power into areas directly affecting national budgetary sovereignty”.
However, this tax “would not replace national tax systems [...] and would fully respect the Member States’ competences regarding regulation”, Romanian Social Democrat Victor Negrescu had previously assured.
As vice-president of Parliament and among the MEPs spearheading this idea, Mr Negrescu advocated for “a European levy [...] of around 1%, applied to the revenue or turnover generated by the major operators [...] active on the European market”. In his view, the proceeds could “realistically” reach “between €14 billion and €28 billion over the 2028-2034 period“.
“Online gambling and betting are a cross-border activity and should therefore be taxed at European level“, concurred German Green Member Rasmus Andresen, particularly given that “tax rates vary among Member States, ranging from 5% to 40%”.
“This sector is among those benefiting most from the advantages of the European single market, while contributing little, if at all”, added Portuguese conservative Hélder Sousa Silva (EPP), voicing his “clear support” for the proposal, though its ultimate fate will be decided in the EU Council (see EUROPE 13728/20). (Original version in French by Clément Solal)