It was hoped by the Bingo industry that there would be an abolition of VAT on participation charges or a reduction or abolition of bingo duty, but the budget has failed to provide this much-needed boost for Britain’s declining bingo halls.

In addition to being hard hit by the smoking ban, UK bingo halls have faced ‘double taxation’ for several years where they pay 15% bingo duty on gross profits, as well as VAT on their participation and session charge income of 17.5%, described by Bingo Association chief executive Paul Talboys as a ’slap in the face for bingo players across the country’.
The abolition of VAT could have saved the industry almost £100 million in revenue which could have been channelled towards encouraging players back to the halls. This is a missed opportunity to recognise the value Bingo provides, not just as a tax payer, but also as providing a valuable social role for many communities.