Bingo Tax Opposed By Bingo Industry

The awaited decision about the bingo tax will be debated this week by the Treasury.  The Bingo Industry is depending on the support from the rebel Labour MPs to help fight against the rule that tax will increase from 15 % to 22 %.

So far 124 MPs have signed their names to a petition organized by protesters.  The Bingo Association, which represents Rank Group, Gala Coral, and other independent bingo companies, could be facing further job losses and a continuous fall in the closure of bingo halls.

In the past two years, over 46 bingo clubs have been forced to close due to numerous factors, such as the smoking ban, the current economic climate, and the rise in bingo tax.  The VAT has been stopped but this has had no benefit thus far, because of the tax rise.

Eric Lllsey, who is the Labour MP for Barnsley Central (UK) has released a document, which will delay the decision of the increase or possibly limit the tax to 16 % or 17 %.  30 rebel MPs are needed to defeat the increase according to the Bingo Association.  The Bingo Association has worked hard to get the backing they have received so far, and they are still fighting till the final moments to get the final names to stop the rise.