The Gambling commission has produced a consultation document to decide on the charges to be imposed over the next year.  The surprising figures set out in the consultation document is that the number of Bingo operator licences is much higher than the number anticiapted over a year ago. The Gambling Commission expected a drop in Bingo licence applications as the figures from industry representitives expected difficult trading conditions would force many closures.  Although Bingo Supermarket has reported on a few closures over the past few weeks, holiday camp operators have taken up the slack and have actually made up for a surprise increase in bingo licence applications.

The industry in these difficult times have shown amazing resilience and some companies are remaining cautiously optimistic about the future.  Buckingham Bingo's cheif executive was also reported last week as saying the quarterly trading figures are higher than expected but worries about the smaller operators who may struggle with the new tax regime.

Top Ten are a company that is struggling after share dealing was suspended after breaking numerous banking covenants.  The company was also hoping the VAT issue would be resolved in the near future but the new gross profits tax hike has seen any benefit wiped clean.  Many changes including closures, openings, takeovers are expected this year but some analysts predict the market will stabalise and show signs of improvemnet early next year.