The Bingo Association welcomes DCMS call for Bingo to be taxed at 15%

The Culture Media and Sport Select Committee investigating The Gambling Act 2005 has today published its report “The Gambling Act 2005: A bet worth taking?”, in which it states that ‘bingo should be taxed in line with other forms of gambling at 15%’.

Following an extensive review of The Act, its development, implementation, enforcement and impact on operators and consumers, the Report makes a number of significant recommendations, with regard to future developments in the gambling sector.

The Report firmly acknowledges bingo’s position as soft gambling and supports the original vision, set out in the 2001 Gambling Review Report, that bingo clubs be maintained as social, soft gambling, environments. In acknowledging that the bingo sector remains highly taxed in comparison with other sectors, the Report recommends that Treasury make an assessment and investigate the position within the next financial year.

Paul Talboys, Chief Executive, The Bingo Association said:

“We are pleased that the Select Committee has recognised that bingo should be taxed at 15%, bringing it in line with the other forms of gambling in the UK. We remain convinced that a fair tax regime which supports UK jobs and stimulates local economies can only be achieved by introducing a single rate of tax for all products governed by The Gambling Act.”

“In moving forward to create a sector with a genuinely ‘level playing field’ it will be essential for all involved, that the DCMS and Treasury, who are responsible for creating the framework (regulatory and tax) that the industry operates within, work together in a co-operative and considered manner.”

A full copy of the Report 'The Gambling Act 2005: a bet worth taking?' is available by following the link or, by going to the Resources section of this site.