Gala Bingo founder attacks government policies
15th September, 2008
John Kelly, chairman and founder of Gala Coral, which operates the Gala Bingo site, is stepping down from the company after 11 years of making the company what it has become today.
With the media’s attention turned on him, he is using the platform to speak out against certain governmental policies that have made business a bit difficult for the company.
“This government over a period of many years has really not dealt with this sector well from either a legislative or a fiscal perspective,” Kelly said. “The Labour Government has not been helpful. Basically it has been a hard slog all the way.”
Kelly pointed to the 2005 Gambling Act, which went completely opposite of Sir Alan Budd’s report and did a complete 180 on casino policy.
“I have never seen legislation that ended up so different from the report that was its genesis,” Kelly said.
Kelly said that it was also the double taxation on bingo and bingo products that made things very difficult for the company to grow.
Kelly is leaving the company per a management succession plan in October of next year, which will give the successor a year to learn and take up the chairman’s role.
“There’s no hidden agenda here,” Kelly said. “There’s never been a breach of covenants or a difficulty with our sponsors...It’s not easy for me. I’ve got a sort of umbilical cord to Gala Coral.”
After Kelly steps down the new chairman will be Neil Goulden, who becomes deputy chairman in October – where he will learn the important role.
Check out the Gala Bingo site to see what all the fuss is about. There’s always a game going on and plenty of people in the chat.
By Michael
