Government Accused Of Discriminating Against Bingo

Bingo tax increase continues to cause friction in the numbers game community.

A bingo club manager has claimed that that government's decision to increase its taxation of the bingo industry amounts to discrimination against the numbers game.

Andrew Sackey, general manager of Mecca Bingo in Burton, Staffordshire, said that the higher rate of bingo duty could prove to be "immensely damaging" to the game.

In a letter to the Burton Mail, he accused government ministers of adopting an "uncaring attitude" to the millions of bingo fans who use clubs around the country.

Mr Sackey said: "I am worried that the government's attack on Britain's bingo clubs could lead to me losing my job if our club is forced to close.

"If clubs close not only will employees like me suffer but millions of our customers will lose something special in their lives."

In last month's Budget announcement, the government revealed that bingo duty will increase from 15 per cent to 22 per cent while sports betting and online gambling firms will continue to be taxed at the lower rate.

Mecca Bingo clubs around the UK have sent letters of protest to their local MPs in an attempt to reverse the tax hike.