MILLIONS of punters would be whacked by Gordon Brown’s proposed £3 billion gambling tax raid, the Tories warned today.

Shadow Gambling Minister Louie French said “short-sighted” plans by the ex-PM to hike taxes on everything from racing to online bingo would hammer people who like a bet.

He blasted: “Labour’s short sighted tax raid would only fuel the black market, hurting jobs, British sports and punters.”

It came as the boss of Paddy Power-owner Flutter, Peter Jackson, said a tax hike could actually lead to lower tax revenue for the Treasury.

And his comments were echoed by independent tax expert Dan Neidle, who said the tax raid suggested by the former PM and the IPPR was likely to backfire and end up costing customers.

Mr Neidle said: “The IPPR has proposed large increases in gamb

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