Casino News

Changes to bingo taxation 'will hurt operators'

2009-04-27 16:29:16

The government's intention to help the bingo industry does not appear to have been borne out by the Budget, an expert has suggested.

According to Business in Sport and Leisure, ministers have previously been supportive of bingo due to its status as part of the "social fabric of society".

But chief executive of the organisation Brigid Simmonds noted that operators will have to pay more, as although they are now exempt from VAT, bingo duty has risen to 22 per cent.

"The great thing about VAT is that if you pay VAT you can offset [it] against other forms of business expenses," she said, adding that this will no longer be the case.

Last week, Rank Group expressed "dismay" at the changes, observing that increases in bingo or poker taxation had not been discussed in its meetings with the Treasury.

The government, meanwhile, has stated that the new fees are intended to simplify the regime.