The association of organizers of games of chance, Montenegro Bet, launched a petition against the taxation of players' winnings, as foreseen by the new amendments to the Law on Personal Income Tax.
The Association announced that games of chance are entertainment everywhere in the world, and the application of the new provision of the Personal Income Tax Act means, as they claim, the complete closure of the legal industry of games of chance in Montenegro.
"You players are left without the possibility to play legally, and three thousand of our employees are left without a job," it was stated in the invitation to sign the petition.
According to the amendments to the Law, which were adopted at the end of December, the profits of natural persons obtained from games of chance, except for prize games, are considered a source of income and are taxed at a rate of up to 15 percent.
According to Montenegro Bet, the tax on every player's winnings is not applied in this way in any country in the world, because games of chance are separately taxed by the Law on Games of Chance, and this is a "tax on tax".
In addition, the Association claims, this legal solution is in contradiction with the Constitution, as well as EU and world practice.
"The latest amendment to the law obliges us to deduct 15 percent from each of your individual winnings, including stakes, and forward it to the budget of Montenegro," announced Montenegro Bet.
This means, as they added, that if a player bets for ten euros with odds of two, he will be paid 17 euros, and three euros will be deducted in the name of tax on the winnings.
The Association calls on the players to help in the last attempt to change the current situation and to collect at least six thousand signatures to amend the Law in accordance with the Constitution.
"Your signature is required for fair taxation," said Montenegro Bet.
Signatures are collected on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at all payment points of the members of the Association.
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