Bingo Tax has Players Lobbying
27th May, 2009
Taxation on bingo halls has been thrust into the media spot light again, after it was revealed members and staff at a Crewe based establishment wrote to their local MP calling for a halt to increased taxes.
Taxes have been at the centre of rows between bingo players and the government before, when operators and players petitioned for the government to scrap double taxation on bingo.
Under new plans by the government taxes on bingo will be raised from 15% to 22%, and could see more bingo halls closed as operating cost rise.
According to Manager Gill Clark at Mecca Bingo in Crewe, more than 110 customers and staff wrote to MP Edward Timpson, asking for support in overturning the proposed tax rise.
Edward Timpson stated his support for the reverse on the tax rise saying, "Since the Government’s dishonest budget I have been one of the leading Parliamentarians involved in raising the profile of the bingo industry, and this unforgiveable attack on its customers. A tax raid on the pockets of these people will threaten their clubs. Online bingo, betting shops and football pools are all taxed at a rate of 15%. Why is normal bingo different? Like they did with the Ghurkas, the Government just need to admit they got it wrong.”
The plea to reverse the tax comes after customers stated, the government were discriminating against bingo payers. Currently bookmakers and other betting establishments are charged 15% whilst bingo players are charged 22%.
Mrs Clark reportedly said, "To our customers, this is about so much more than just bingo. For some, this is the only opportunity they have to socialise with other people and it would be criminal if clubs are forced to close because the Government is discriminating against one of the nation's favourite pastimes. Our customers just can't understand why the Government is targeting women, we are urging the Government to keep tax at 15% and not increase it to 22%."
By Rommon
