Another Year to Wait For Bingo Tax Decision

It’s been four months since the bingo industry was shaken with the sudden increase of bingo duties or taxes imposed by the UK government. It has been a serious blow to a lot of bingo operators and we’ve seen the bad effects it has brought to the industry. Bingo profit duties climbed up from 15% to 22%. A lot of bingo operators have shut down some, if not a lot of their bingo clubs. But together with that increase in tax was the decision of removing the VAT. They may have taken off the VAT but then compromised by increasing the bingo duties.

As you may recall, Mecca Bingo has taken the Government to court over the VAT on participation fees. That was good news to the bingo industry since Mecca Bingo has won. Tax rebates will be offered to the bingo operators in the UK for the said VAT on participation fees. The only problem is, the Government is making another appeal on this decision. Recently, the government made an appeal and had lost it. However, they were given another chance to appeal the case. That is why it may take another year for this bingo tax decision, even if there’s a big chance that the Government will again lose their appeal.

This appeal is just prolonging things for the bingo industry. It’s just taking more time for them to receive the tax rebates that they so badly need. Roger Cooper, the Bingo Boss, has expressed his discontent stating that why would the Government continue to defend the indefensible? He goes on saying that the Government should just allow the bingo industry to claim back what is rightfully theirs and allow them to continue to serve and invest in one of the social functions that the UK has loved. Bingo, over the past couple of years, has grown to be a part of the British culture.