Backers of the bipartisan legislation say illegal offshore bookmakers which don t pay the 0.25 percent tax, are benefiting from not playing by the rules. As a result, Miller says legal, regulated sportsbooks are forced to offer worse odds and payouts or reduce their marketing budgets to cut overhead.
The gaming industry s chief lobbyist adds that the employee tax impedes hiring at a time when providing jobs is critical.
Under the current law, the Internal Revenue Code mandates that most sports betting operators share 0.25 percent of every $1 wagered with the US government. Exceptions are provided for sports betting that is operated by state lotteries.
In 2019, the federal sports betting handle and employee head tax totaled just $33 million not even a drop in the bucket for the US government s annual budget.
Sportsbooks are already very low margin businesses, even in the lowest-taxed jurisdictions. Revenue is typically around just five percent of the total amount wagered, which is why 0.25 percent while minuscule to the federal government is paramount to sports betting operators.
Miller testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee this week to strike out the sports betting handle and head tax.
Illegal wagering operators generally have little overhead and virtually no tax or regulatory compliance outlays, Miller testified. Repealing the federal excise and head taxes levied on legal sports wagering operations is one important step Congress can take to help level the playing field and allow legal, regulated sportsbooks to more effectively compete.
