The Gala Bingo club in Pitsea, Essex has announced its last bingo session will be played around Monday 27th July 2009 after which it will close its doors forever.

Gala Has blamed the smoking ban and poor trading conditions for this closure and are concerned more bingo clubs could also close down of the government do not address the tax issue. The next nearest bingo club is the Rio Bingo on Canvey Island who are also in the press as another bingo club coming under intense pressure from the bingo duty increase.

Some of the staff from Rio Bingo play at the Gala bingo in Pitsea as company policy does not allow them to play at a club they are employed at. Bingo bosses at the Rio Bingo in Canvey commented "We are deeply disappointed that another bingo club has become a casualty of the tax increase and the smoking ban. Bingo clubs are part of the social fabric of society and this is something the Government should preserve, not destroy it.", Roger Cooper owner of Rio Canvey went on to say "This is a sexist, ageist and blatantly unfair tax, it is great to see the bingo players, general public and many MPs are behind us, but the Government Ministers are the decision makers and they need to act fast before its too late."

On the closure of Gala Bingo Pitsea, Mr Cooper stated "it is never a good thing to see a local bingo club close even when it can be in competition as many of the customers do not switch to another bingo club, they just become lost." Mr cooper also mentioned "It is a shame in particular for pensioners who routinely visit the club as part of their social interaction, due to transport or the unfamiliarity of visiting another bingo club they will now be sat at home feeling sad and lonely which truly saddens me".

Roger Cooper intends to continue to challenge the Government and delighted that Castle Point MP Bob Spink has raised this tax issue and totally behind the cause to save our bingo clubs.