The bingo industry and community breathed a sigh of relief last week as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, confirmed in his Budget speech that the Bingo Duty is set to be reduced from 22% to 20%. However, the bingo industry is still feeling hard done by, considering other gambling sectors only have to pay duty at a rate of 15%.
This is an issue which is very close to the hearts of those at Gala Bingo, who, instead of just complaining about the inequity have been campaigning hard on this issue and lobbying MPs, but now they are asking all those who support their campaign to sign up to their ‘Bingo Bond’. This will be presented to MPs and all candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections to ask for their support to create a fairer tax system for the gambling community. It is time that bingo was on the agenda since it is such a huge part of daily life in the UK for so many.
So far more than 30 MPs have already pledged their support, which is understandable considering that MPs must realise that the online bingo industry actually generates over £100 million in taxes for this country every single year, not to mention the millions in stake money flowing through the economy. As the country continues to struggle its way out of a serious recession the government must recognise the important role that bingo has to play.