U.K. Bingo Customers, Employees Call for Tax Hike Repeal

5/19/2009 by Gaming Industry Media Staff

Some bingo players and employees in the United Kingdom are taking action after Alistair Darling, Chancellor of the Exchequer, revealed a bingo tax hike in the new budget last month.

Some bingo players and employees in the United Kingdom are taking action after Alistair Darling, Chancellor of the Exchequer, revealed a bingo tax hike in the new budget last month.

Rochdale Observer reports that more than 700 customers and employees of Mecca Bingo in Smith Street have written to local member of parliament Paul Rowen to support overturning the 6 percent tax increase.

"This tax could lead to the closure of more of our bingo halls that provide the only sunshine in many people’s lives," Mr. Rowen told the newspaper.

"I am not calling for bookies’ duty to be increased, but bingo duty to be pegged at 15 percent," he said.