Bingo tax protest outside Parliament - Online Bingo News

A protest against the high bingo tax rate has been organised to take place on The Green in front of the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London on Wednesday July 1. It is estimated tha more than 500 protestors will gather on The Green between 11.00am and 2pm.

The Finance Bill is scheduled to be discussed in Parliament and the protest hopes to highlight to the ministers just how much damage this new hiked bingo tax will cause to the industry.  Numerous MPs have shown their support to the cause and many have also promised to join bingo players in this protest to show their support for the land-based bingo industry. Canvey Island MP, Bob Spink has confirmed that he will be joining the protest and it is expected that other MPs will also join in to show their support for the cause.

A strong appeal is being made to the Finance Ministry to reconsider the new tax rates that have been imposed on UK bingo halls. The protest will be attended by bingo club operators and by hundreds of bingo players from all over the country. Bingo halls across the UK are struggling to survive and it now nearly a daily occurrence that a bingo hall closes down somewhere or the other in Britain. Jobs are being lost on a daily basis as bingo halls struggle to remain in business.

The Bingo Association will be represented and from the bingo industry it is confirmed that Dave Holt, who runs six independent bingo clubs will also be present at the protest in front of the Houses of Parliament.

Protests against this increased bingo tax have gained momentum over the last few months with more and more MPs adding their voice against the unfair tax. Bingo halls are subject to a 22% duty tax of profits as opposed to a mere 15% tax rate for casinos and betting centres.

Written by Rhea Williams for Bingostreet – bringing you daily news and updates on events in the world of online bingo UK.