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Written by Mark Bennett
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Tuesday, 06 April 2010 16:07 |
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Labour MP for Heywood and Middleton, Jim Dobbin, has signed the bingo bond. MP's and candidates running for election can sign the declaration to support the campaign against recent tax changes in relation to the bingo industry.
The tax changes saw bingo tax increased from 15 percent to 22 percent in place of VAT last year. Having defeated the Government in court in relation to double taxation the industry was 'hanging on' for the VAT to be scraped. Still suffering the effects of the smoking ban the 50% increase in bingo tax lead to further bingo clubs closing.
The ‘bingo bond’ is a formally signed declaration that can be signed by MPs and Parliamentary candidates to show their support and commitment to the bingo industry’s campaign to have a fair tax regime.
Following six months of protests the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, announced that Bingo Duty would be cut to 20 percent from the end of March. Whilst this is a step in the right direction, the industry feels more needs to be done with many protestors suggesting taxes in relation to gaming industry need to be completely reviewed. The same level of tax should be applied to the entire industry e.g. bingo clubs, casinos, betting shops, gaming centres, online bingo and all other forms of gaming within the UK. |
