Bingo Announcement Imminent, Says Sutcliffe

Gerry Sutcliffe MP is apparently going to make a statement on the UK bingo industry in the near future.

The bingo industry has been informed that Department for Media, Culture and Sport minister Gerry Sutcliffe will soon make an announcement that may prompt improvements in the sector.

Mr Sutcliffe was present at the Bingo Association's annual general meeting (AGM) earlier this year and indicated he would be addressing issues to do with the numbers game industry in the following months.

Almost two months have passed since the conference, and according to the Bingo Association, Kettering MP Philip Hollobone requested an update from the minister.

"I hope to make a statement to the House [of Commons] on this and related matters shortly," was apparently the culture secretary's answer.

Following April's AGM, the Bingo Association claimed that Mr Sutcliffe appeared to understand and have concern for the sector.

Over the last 18 months, the bingo world has had to deal with reduced player numbers due to the nationwide smoking ban, as well as double taxation.