Bingo Association Welcomes Tax Reduction After Campaign Supported by Local MP

Hundreds of bingo customers are celebrating, after the Chancellor reduced the tax burden on bingo clubs in following a campaign supported by local MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford.

In yesterday’s Budget, the Chancellor of the Exchequer reduced the duty on bingo clubs from 20% to 10%. It means almost 400 bingo clubs in communities across England, Scotland and Wales can now fulfil their commitment to invest in new premises, modernisation and jobs.

The Boost Bingo campaign, run by The Bingo Association, gathered more than 330,000 petition signatures from bingo players calling for the Government to reduce bingo duty. Eilidh supported the campaign recently by visiting the Carlton Bingo Club in Fraserburgh, where she called the numbers in one of the games.

Commenting on the successful campaign, Eilidh said:

“I was delighted to support the Boost Bingo campaign in Banff & Buchan. Bingo brings adults of all ages together to socialise in a lively and fun environment, and I am fully behind this campaign. I am pleased it has achieved a result for my constituents.”

Miles Baron, Chief Executive of The Bingo Association, said:

“This is brilliant news! Bingo operators and bingo players are delighted that the Government has recognised the importance of bingo clubs in hundreds of communities across Britain.

“I’m sure the constituents of Banff & Buchan who enjoy a visit to their local bingo club will be delighted to hear the game they love has received the boost they campaigned so hard for.

“Bingo operators identified a programme of investment that would be freed up by the tax reduction. Now that’s happened, I look forward to seeing the investment and modernisation that will take the industry forward.

“I’d like to thank the Government for listening to the concerns of bingo players, and thank Eilidh Whiteford for her support for a fair rate of taxation for bingo clubs.”