In response to widespread undeclared work and systematic embezzlement from charitable funds, the tax minister, Benny Engelbrecht, has revealed he wants to close gambling arcades at night, Politiken reports.

As part of a political intervention being submitted to parliament this week, the government will also seek to abolish a 95 percent tax deduction for money donated to local organisations such as sports clubs.

His decision follows the results of recent inspections and the findings of TV2 programme 'Operation X', which uncovered the widespread embezzlement of funds.

Mixed reactions
“We’re talking about such extensive cheating and fraud that mere inspections aren’t enough in this sector anymore. I can’t see any other solution if we want to stop the big offenders,” Engelbrecht told Politiken.

The proposal has been met with mixed reactions.

Mads Rørvig, the chairman of the parliamentary tax commission, is sceptical.

“It’s a pretty comprehensive measure to prevent the whole sector from conducting business at certain times of the day,” he said.

But Henrik Brandt from the centre for gambling addiction is delighted with the news.

“It’s great that gambling arcades are closing at night-time,” he said.

“Because it goes without saying that you’ve got a serious problem if you’re sitting in a place like that in the middle of the night.”