Too little too late, is the message which is going back to the British Government, which plans to help the UK bingo industry this week with extra payout machines. It is widely expected that the £500 jackpots on Category B3 machines will be doubled.
As long ago as last February, Gerry Sutcliffe, the minister with responsibility for gambling, went on record as promising to help the industry, which was struggling with the smoking ban, a reduction in machines and double taxation. In the 11 months since then, 27 more clubs have closed, reducing the total number of bingo clubs in Britain to 590.
Seven months ago the Government said it was considering doubling the permitted number of the £1 stake B3 machines per club from four to eight. The subject was debated yesterday by an all-party committee.
The industry believes that more machines and higher prizes are not enough to revive the industry and protect the 17,000 jobs in bingo. In a circular letter to 200 MPs from operator Rank, chief executive Ian Burke said: "This has been a frustrating year for our industry. The Treasury has closed its eyes to the damaged caused by the continuing discrimination against bingo clubs and has refused to engage in any meaningful dialogue." He said that the DCMS - the UK ministry in charge of gambling - had ‘dithered’ over measures to help the industry. His company runs just over 100 clubs.
Operators pay double taxation, both the 15 per cent gaming duty and the new 15 per cent level of VAT. But other forms of gambling, including betting shops and casinos, pay no VAT.
