The CEO of Halfords Media Italy Srl, a company used by PokerStars for marketing, has been formally charged with €300 million tax fraud involving Malta. PokerStars holds a licence from the Malta Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA).
PokerStars has denied the claims. Its spokesman Eric Hollreiser said: “Like many other global e-commerce companies, we vigorously dispute the stance of the tax authority regarding local establishment.” Hollreiser said, adding that the company “hopes to resolve the issue in our favour soon.”
The Italian authorities are claiming that the company failed to declare profits of some €300 million between 2009 and 2014 and the funds were channelled through Malta and the Isle of Man.