The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)* in April 2002 will present a paper on the impact of Internet gambling on consumption tax revenues.
"Working Party No. 9 on Consumptions is indeed discussing the impact of Internet development on gambling taxation," Stéphane Buydens, an administrator at the organization's Center for Tax Policy and Administration, told IGN. "An Informal working group was created within this working party in 2000 to assess the impact of Internet gambling on consumption tax revenues. The outcome of this work will be presented to Working Party 9 at its next meeting to be held in April 2002. At that time, the working party should also decide on any further action to take in this field."
The Danish government already sees an important role for the OECD to realize an international policy on Internet gambling. A Danish inter-ministerial working group produced "The National Internet Gaming Strategy" report, in which it states: "Gaming can no longer be exclusively considered an aspect of Danish domestic policy. Because of the Internet, gaming should also be an aspect of foreign policy. As mentioned earlier, such an attitude is already expressed in the American Congress, and can be expected to be expressed in a number of countries that see their sovereignty in the gaming area threatened by other countries' policies. Together with the other European countries and the USA, Denmark should work towards placing the topic on the agenda in the OECD and WTO, perhaps in connection with other negotiations on topics within the economic and financial areas, with the aim of placing pressure on countries who see an economic interest in a global gaming market on the Internet."
During the forthcoming OECD Working Party 9 meeting, the Danish government will present a paper in which it proposes to take actions versus countries and jurisdictions that are threatening the sovereignty of national legislations by unrestricted participation of Internet gamers worldwide.
The OECD groups 30 member countries sharing a commitment to democratic government and the market economy. With active relationships with some 70 other countries, NGOs and civil society, it has a global reach. Best known for its publications and its statistics, its work covers economic and social issues from macroeconomics to trade, education, development and science and innovation.
The OECD plays a prominent role in fostering good governance in public service and corporate activity. It helps governments ensuring responsiveness of key economic areas with sectoral monitoring. By deciphering emerging issues and identifying policies that work, it helps policy makers adopt strategic orientations. It's well known for its individual country surveys and reviews..
The OECD produces internationally agreed instruments, decisions and recommendations to promote rules of the game in areas where multilateral agreement is necessary for individual countries to make progress in a globalized economy. Sharing the benefits of growth is also crucial as shown in activities such as emerging economies, sustainable development and territorial economy.
*The OECD's 30 members are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.