MP battles for UK bingo future

On June 1st 2007 the UK will have to face some huge changes due to the new smoking ban. The law will mean that it will be illegal to smoke in any public enclosed space. Many people believe that the ban is a good thing that will improve the health of many people.  However it has been agreed that the ban will have a negative effect on the land based bingo industry.

 

Research has shown that 50% of players are also smokers and that the ban will result in many of the smoking players avoiding the bingo halls.  John Hemming (MP for Birmingham Yardley) has been speaking out against the effects the ban will have on the bingo halls and is calling for a change in regulations to help the UK bingo clubs servive the ban.

 

Mr. Hemming is calling for the current tax laws to be changed to reflect the reduced revenue the bingo clubs will recieve.  He Said "At the moment, bingo is taxed twice, paying both gross profits tax and VAT. It is the only mainstream gaming activity to be taxed in this way and this additional tax is making life very difficult for many clubs."

 

He continued: "It is important that when the smoking ban takes effect on July 1, that the combination of this and double taxation does not spell the end for many small clubs.

 

“By removing VAT, the government could take a crucial step to assist the industry in adjusting to life after the ban. For many clubs, this could be a lifeline."

 

Whether his advice will be listened to is another subject, but is at least good to see that the bingo industry does have support and people are willing to fight for it.  This combined with the new outdoor bingo proposal should see the smoking bans impact reduced when it does come in to effect in a few weeks time.