Friday 21st of August 2009
Bingo players line up to say: 'I'm Backing Bingo!'
Buckingham Bingo and its online bingo division Bucky Bingo are proud to support the 'I'm Backing Bingo!' campaign, which is lobbying Westminster to keep the bingo tax rate at 15 per cent.
We feel that bingo in licensed clubs should be subject to the same taxes as online bingo, internet casinos and sports betting operators.
The campaign was launched following the chancellor's surprise announcement that bingo taxes would be raised. On April 22nd 2009, Alistair Darling MP revealed in his budget that duty would be increased by seven per cent despite giving no prior warning to the bingo industry.
Now, supporters of the 15 per cent tax band are being urged to join the 'I'm Backing Bingo!' campaign by writing to their MP and signing a Downing Street petition. So far, more than 2,500 people have added their names to the list.
According to figures from the I'm Backing Bingo lobby group, there are currently less than 600 bingo clubs left in the UK. It is feared several may close if the bingo tax is permanently raised to 22 per cent.
That is why we are urging all of our online bingo players to join the cause and do all they can to support their club-based counterparts.
Politicians call for bingo tax change
The campaign to save Britain's bingo clubs from closure is gathering steam after it emerged that two more politicians have pledged their support.
Sandra Gidley, MP for Romsey, and John Barrett, MP for Edinburgh West, both criticised the British government's proposal to raise bingo duty for licensed clubs from 15 per cent to 22 per cent.
And the Liberal Democrat politicians have warned about the impact a tax hike could have on bingo halls and, ultimately, local communities.
"Bingo is a popular pastime, which brings friends and communities together but government killjoys just don't seem to understand the threat its under," said Ms Gidley.
Meanwhile, Mr Barrett highlighted that "the bingo hall can act as a focal point for the community."
"The bingo industry is not a cash cow that the government can use to raise revenue," he added.
