I am not sure I agree with your judgement that casinos make money off theft, especially since the customers walk in out of their own free will and place their money on the table out of the same free will.
Find an HONEST way of beating their games and see how fast you are told to leave and not come back.
You're same argument can be made for heroin addiction or bank robbery.
Besides, Monaco hardly "makes its living" off the casinos.
Here is the breakdown of state revenues:
50% from VAT (state tax on consumption)
20% State-run monopolies (Stamps-Issuing Office, Monaco State Tobacco Company, Telecom, Post Office)
7% Monopolies subcontracted by the State (Electricity, Gas, Water and Gambling)
Impressive. Assuming you pay all tax legally due, what percentage of your income would it come to?
providing safe haven for moneys other nations consider taxable income (ie., an illicit tax haven used to hide income)
Sorry for your romantic view on this, Laz, but offshore banking is not illegal and there is nothing "illicit" about it.
Fine. We'll pass a law that allows any resident of Europe to divert all their income in American banks and pay not one dime of tax on it and see what YOU think of it.
The reality of the matter is that money tends to go where there are least restraints & taxes on its income. Again, that is not illegal.
The 10's millions that Stalin had killed and the Holocaust weren't "illegal" either. Perfectly legal under the laws of those gov'ts. Do you favor them?
right to criticize one of the most productive nations that objects to its highly questionable activities?
Which nation would that be? I have not heard the Prince of Monaco criticizing any nation on earth, productive or otherwise.
Then he's one of the few European leaders who hasn't.
I have several bank accounts, if that is "benefiting from these activities" in your mind. I don't care for gambling, so have seen the inside of the infamous Monte-Carlo Casino only twice, when showing friends around.
Being a resodent of Monaco, you're not being referred to. And I have been in numerous casinos in Nevada. Their numerous people on the thread who can testify to just how much I've played.
So sue me :-)'
Need jurisdiction. :-)
P.S.: Methinks you are just jealous because you pay so much taxes AND all that tax revenue evaporates each day in managing the aftermath of a pointless invasion in Iraq :-)
MY taxes are lower. Sorry about that.
JDSU looking to form a bottom about 1.58, I think. |
