Bingo Rally at House of Commons
Its extremely heartening indeed that a number of politicians now are going out of there way to stand up for the game of bingo and against the latest 22% tax levy making comments along the lines of “…and the UK government needs to support the sector rather than contributing to its hardship.”
Truer words never been said of course and the latest comments have been made by none other than SNP (Scottish National Party) spokesman Stewart Hosie MP, who is calling loudly for fairer taxation for the bingo industry and also an end to the double standard used against the bingo industry.
Mr Hosie has even gone as far as attending a bingo rally in the House of Commons – an active illustration for the industry.
I suppose Mr Hosie is wondering like so many others why other gambling products are taxed at 15% while licensed bingo has 22% whacked onto it? Why oh why? Especially so, as bingo (both land-based and online) fills a community need that no other gambling operation does. In a lot of ways bingo shouldn’t be even termed gambling as it fills such an important socialization/community role.
Good for the SNP that they are working so hard to redress this imbalance on behalf of bingo players. One of the ways in which they are doing so is to table amendments to the Finance Bill in about a weeks time.
Its extremely gratifying to note the large numbers of people within the House of Commons who are standing up for this magnificent industry of bingo, especially the valuable role that bingo halls play in the community. We must forget though that the role that online bingo plays in the community has now grown (and will continue to do so) to have the same impact as land based – especially with regard to house bound people. It really does provide these people with an invaluable socialization point – safe, warm and fun – that they cant get in any other way.
Why is it that the Government just hasn’t been able to see that plain fact (up until now anyway) – because its staring them right in the face and is very obvious for everyone else to see. One cant help but say that it must be because the Government simply regards the bingo industry as a convenient and easy cash cow to milk?
But lovers and supporters (like the SNP) of this terrific game of bingo certainly wont give up yet – at least until this tax is repealed!
