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In a blow to the British government, the number two largest bookmaker, William Hill, has threatened to move approximately 90 jobs in the Internet division offshore.
Bookmakers warned the chancellor, Alistair Darling, before the Budget that increases in gross profits tax on betting would stifle competitiveness, particularly for their online businesses, and force them to consider relocating staff, according to the Financial Times of London.
Last week, Darling increased the GPT on bingo from 15 per cent to 22 per cent.
Ralph Topping, the William Hill chief executive who was part of a bookmakers' delegation to the Treasury last month, has said that "relocation" is a "live issue".
"Do we look at that situation constantly? Yes," Mr Topping told the Financial Times. "Considering how difficult it is to compete against offshore operators, you're never going to rule it out entirely."
William Hill, operator of 2,300 betting shops, employs 15,000 in the UK and other countries.
Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
