Tax hike announced

The government of the Czech Republic plans to raise taxes on alcohol, tobacco and gambling, citing an increase in its citizens’ purchasing power.

“The average wage growth [in the Czech Republic] between 2009 and 2018 was 45 percent, while consumer tax on alcohol was last increased in 2010 and we will not raise it again until 2020,” Finance Minister Alena Schiller told European Gaming.

As per the proposed tax revision, taxes on hard liquor would increase by 13 percent, cigarettes by 10 percent, sports betting by 2 percent and lotteries and games of chance by 7 percent.

“Both the World Health Organization and the OECD recommend that we do something about alcohol and tobacco consumption, and one of the most effective recommendations is a higher tax burden,” Health Minister Adam Vojtech was quoted as saying.