MP HIGHLIGHTS PROBLEMS FACING BINGO CLUBS

12.05.31am GMT Wed 12th Mar 2008

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt has shown her support for the UK's bingo industry, by questioning the Government about its imposition of two different forms of tax on the game.

Mrs Burt, who speaks for small business for the Liberal Democrats in Parliament, said:

"Bingo is one of the UK's most popular leisure pursuits and is the only form of gambling to be subject to both Value Added Tax (VAT) and Gross Profits Tax (GPT). This 'double taxation' has already contributed to the closure of 37 clubs in 2007 alone.

"The bingo industry has urged the Treasury to urgently correct this anomaly, which it first pledged to address as far back as July 2003, by removing VAT on bingo products, and has received cross-party support for its appeal to the Government. I have also asked Government about the VAT revenue paid by the bingo industry."

Speaking on behalf of The Bingo Association, Chief Executive Paul Talboys said:

"Urgent reform of bingo taxation is required. Bingo is played and enjoyed by millions. It is one of the softest forms of gambling but is the most heavily taxed. We have shown that abolishing VAT would be good for the Government, good for the customer and good for the industry. It would not only safeguard the future of over 100 'at risk' clubs, but also benefit the tax payer by securing future tax revenues from bingo."