11.08.2010
Brian Binley, MP for Northampton South, has condemned the excessively high tax levied on bingo halls, famously calling it a “granny tax”. He believes the tax is unjustified – especially as bingo is considered one of the least damaging forms of gambling.
The MP made a recent visit to a Beacon Bingo hall in his constituency of Northampton and discovered first-hand how bingo halls are damaged by such extortionate taxation rules. To put this in perspective; Bingo halls across the country pay higher tax than bookmakers on the High Street.
The MP told his local newspaper, “Bingo is without doubt one of the least damaging forms of gambling around and still it pays one of the highest rates of taxes for the industry. Most bingo players use bingo as an opportunity for socialising. The previous Labour Government created 24 hour casinos wanting more of them in a great many of our cities and towns, despite the evidence suggesting 24 hour casino’s are one of the most damaging forms of gambling. Yet a granny tax has been implemented affecting bingo enthusiasts.”
Whether or not Binley succeeds in his proposal to have bingo halls tax lowered is hard to say, especially given the recent budget which made absolutely no changes to the system. We wish him all the best!
