Bingo players call for House to axe tax

ANGRY . . . bingo players in Oldham want action over tax hike

BINGO players are calling on their MP to overturn a hike in the tax on their favourite game.

The recent Budget raised bingo operators’ hopes by scrapping VAT on clubs, but then dashed them by increasing gaming duty by 7 per cent to 22 per cent.

Now, more than 820 Mecca Bingo players from Oldham have written to Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher asking for his support in opposing the rise.

Emma Foster, manager of Mecca Bingo, Oldham, said: “Our customers just can’t understand why the Government is targeting us.

“It just doesn’t seem to be fair that someone can go to the bookies and place a bet and only pay 15 per cent tax, while one of our customers has to pay 22 per cent.

“To our customers, this is about so much more than just bingo.

“For some, this is the only opportunity they have to socialise with other people.

“It would be criminal if clubs are forced to close because the Government is discriminating against one of the nation’s favourite past times.”