In today`s Budget the Government has announced the following changes to gambling duties: - to simplify the regime, participation fees for bingo will no longer be subject to VAT and bingo duty will rise to 22% on 27th April 2009; and - Amusement Machine Licence Duty (AMLD) will increase on 22nd April 2009. On 1st June 2009 AMLD categories will be recalibrated to reflect regulatory changes. The Government will also consult on moving the taxation of gaming machines onto a gross profits tax basis. We are currently awaiting further detail in order to analyse what these changes will mean for the bingo industry. We will update the website and write to members as soon as possible. If you wish to view the Budget document in full it can be found on the HM Treasury Website hm-treasury.gov.uk.