Illegal gambling could be subject to tax collection in Uruguay

In an interview with local media El Espectador, attorney Guillermo Sena - from the tax department of Estudio Posadas, Posadas & Vecino - commented on some of the changes that affect the gambling industry in Uruguay after different measures taken by the local government.

Speaking about the new tax, Senda explained: " it is a specific one created to tax the taking of bets through electronic gambling machines or automatic bets installed in casinos or entertainment venues expressly authorized by law."

And he expanded on the future scope by commenting that "at a theoretical level, there are grounds for claiming that even illicit activities can be subject to tax collection. As far as I have been able to investigate, there have been no cases in which this theoretical position has been applied, but nothing prevents it from being applied at some point, "said Senda

He also said that "it is very important to say that online gambling is declared illegal, through internet, technological platforms and computer applications," and also explained that "the Executive has the faculty to organize forecasts of international sports results, as well as the specific permisions granted by the competent authority to date."

The tax expert added that it was established that "casino games, such as poker, roulette, slots, among others, are absolutely prohibited in their online mode, virtual or similar."

Source: GMB / El Espectador (Uruguay)