Paddy Power threatened job cuts over betting tax hike

In the run-up to the budget, there was considerable momentum for the 1 per cent betting tax to be increased to 2 per cent, given that it was once as high as 5 per cent back in 2000

Betting firm Paddy Power Betfair helped to block a rise in the betting tax in the budget by hiring a high-profile lobbyist and threatening the prospect of job losses and shop closures.

In the run-up to the budget, there was considerable momentum for the 1 per cent betting tax to be increased to 2 per cent, given that it was once as high as 5 per cent back in 2000.

The idea was ...