Southport Bingo Players Join Tax Backlash

Row over higher bingo tax goes on as players fear for the future of their clubs.

Players at a Merseyside bingo hall have spoken out against the government's decision to push tax payments on the game up to 22 per cent.

The increased levy, unveiled by chancellor Alistair Darling in his recent Budget, means that bingo halls are now taxed at a higher rate than online casino portals and sports betting firms.

Val Bacon, a member of Mecca Bingo in Southport, said that the tax hike could lead to further bingo club closures in the UK, with the industry already struggling due to the economic downturn.

"It is the last thing we could do with, it could be immensely damaging," she told the Southport Visitor.

"Numbers are already severely down because of the credit crunch and because people are looking after their pennies. This could be a nail in the coffin."

Several politicians, including the Conservative MP for Crewe and Nantwich Edward Timpson, have recently asked the Treasury to reconsider its stance on bingo taxation.