Sport is made for betting

Front page of today's Racing Post - "Chandler ups ante with levy pledge related to exchanges". The British betting industry's no.1 tax and levy dodger, Victor Chandler, who led the move to Gibraltar over a decade ago, has pledged to start paying levy on his offshore business if Betfair gets taxed/levied as he believes is right! What right does he have to declare himself holier than thou? He currently pays levy on his ONE shop in London and his on-course racing business, which would hold a pittance in turnover compared to his Gibraltar business. "The whole centre of the problem with the levy lies with betting exchanges," he says. This is the bloke who did a runner to Gibraltar in 1999 to avoid paying tax and levy in the first place. How can the system be screwed because of exchanges when tax-dodgers like him started the avoidance of levy before Betfair was even founded? "I will make a promise today that if the BHA and the British government make th...

Haven't got the motivation for a long post, so here are some brief items about what's going on in the world.... Much of my traffic comes from other bloggers - do you fancy getting a free makeover for your blog? Most of us don't have the design skills to do it, but this guy does, and he has some brilliant culinary tips as well - ZestyCook Mark Davies, MD and one of the originals at Betfair, has a laugh about how bookie CEOs just don't get it and keep on giving Betfair free publicity at every opportunity. The Tasmanian government have reacted to Betfair Aus's idle threats about moving interstate (or was it rumours of other govts luring them) by offering more tax breaks to sustain employment in the Apple Isle. Leading Australian jockey Danny Nikolic could be deep in the brown stuff if the latest stewards investigation into suspicious betting activities on Betfair uncovers any concrete evidence. I'm a big fan of Nikolic, there is no Australian jockey I'd rath...

At least I think it's the first... No news on the licensing terms, but since they have existing bookmakers, mostly operating on racing, you'd expect the tax rates and regulations are reasonable. Victor Chandler Granted Licence Approval in South Africa Ahead of plans to launch a full range of sports betting services in time for the World Cup next year, Gibraltar-based bookmaker Victor Chandler has announced that its application for a license to operate in South Africa has been approved by the Western Cape Gambling and Betting Board. They won't be the last, numerous other firms including Betfair have been lobbying hard in South Africa for some time.

Missed this announcement two weeks ago, Victor Chandler have become shirt sponsors of Nottingham Forest in the Championship. Good to see them supporting the sport desptie being based in Gibraltar, reminding us that it's not all about the Premier League. Forest announce Victor Chandler deal That makes a lot of bookmakers sponsoring football these days. Austrian minnow bet-at-home.com sponsored the Emirates Cup at Arsenal over the weekend, doubt they could afford anything during the season!