No tax reductions for land based bingo halls
The government has rejected calls for a VAT reduction for land based bingo halls. Liberal Democrat MP John Hemming lobbied for the government to reduce VAT in line with other gaming sectors, which the government rejected.
Land based bingo clubs currently pay around 15% VAT, but also have to pay a gross profit tax of 15% making a total of 30% tax; other gaming sectors only pay the 15% VAT and are not charged gross profit tax.
Since the smoking ban and cap on the amount of £500 jackpot machines, coupled with the popularity of online bingo, land based bingo halls have seen a steep decline in customers, and with the double taxation law they have to pay are sure to feel the effects during the recession.
More than 100 land based bingo halls have closed over the past six years, with a loss of over 3,500 jobs.
Mar 03 2009
Mar 05 2009
5:14 pm
my local bingo hall has just closed. It has been open many years and was my Friday night entertainment.
Peggy L
Mar 11 2009
1:00 pm
I think that bingo halls are doomed with the online boom
Mar 12 2009
3:21 pm
How long will my local Mecca bingo stay open, with all these online bingo websites opening? I really prefer the live bingo action that you only capture in a bingo hall.
Ok I like staying at home as i don’t have to get ready to go out but it doesn’t compare to a bingo hall plus it’s a weekly meeting for me and my friends.