Bingo players want ‘fair deal’ for the game

May 21 2009 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

MORE than 800 Hamilton bingo players are calling on a ‘fair deal’ for the game.

They have written to Lanark and Hamilton East MP Jimmy Hood asking for support in overturning the Government’s decision to raise bingo duty to 22 per cent.

Manager of Mecca Bingo in Hamilton, Duncan Anderson, pointed out that the Government was taxing bingo more than other forms of gambling.

He said: “Our customers just can’t understand why the Government is targeting women.

“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 them, this is about so much more than just bingo. For some, this is the only opportunity they have to socialise with other people and it would be criminal if clubs are forced to close because the Government is discriminating against one of the nation’s favourite pastimes.

“That's why we are urging the Government to keep tax at 15 per cent and not increase it to 22 per cent.”