Bingo Clubs Under Threat From Tax Hike

Independent bingo venues will be hit hardest by the tax increase, says industry expert.

The chief executive of Rank Group has warned that many British bingo venues are facing extinction due to the tax hike recently introduced by the government.

Ian Burke told the Daily Mirror that Rank, which owns Mecca Bingo, has seen six or seven of its 100 clubs in the UK become unprofitable as a result of the higher tax rate.

He said that many bingo halls will struggle to pay tax of 22 per cent on their profits, with independent clubs finding it particularly difficult.

Commenting on the clubs in danger, he told the newspaper: "Most are in Labour heartlands - and areas where other jobs are hard to come by.

"We supported the smoking ban, though half our customers smoke and it hit us hard. It feels as if they are kicking us while we're down."

Bingo operators and fans of the game around the country have been writing to their local MPs in an attempt to raise awareness over the tax hike.

Earlier this month, the Times reported that Gala Bingo is preparing to close six of its 156 clubs, putting about 180 jobs at risk.