Tax rise sees Old Windsor independent bookmaker close

Windsor based independent bookmaker Hart of Racing has announced it is to close its operations this Sunday because of the increasing tax burden on the betting shop. The owners of the independently run bookmaker cited that they would not be able to run their business under the constraints of new Fixed Odds Betting Terminal (FOBT’s) taxes which will begin in January 2015.

The Hart of Racing bookmaker operated in the Wheatshead Parade in Old Windsor, the independent bookmaker was opened two years ago by local resident Dawn Philips.

Philips, who has 10 years bookmaking experience, commented that she could no longer maintain operations under new retail betting tax regimes which would see FOBT’s taxed at a 25% rate from January 2015.

Philips told the Royal Borough Observer: “We could keep it going, but it would be just working for the taxman and lining his pockets. It is not a way of encouraging small business.”

Philips  added: “I feel sorry for the community. For a lot of the people here it was a lifeline for them to come in on a Saturday, get out of the house, have some tea, coffee and biscuits and bet on the racing. It was nice for people, especially those that live on their own and that has been taken away from them. “I would like to thank them all our customers for their support. We will miss them and I hope they will miss us!”