Bingo operators in the north-west had express their disappointment about the decision of the government to increase its taxation of the numbers game.
Chancellor Alistair Darling announced that bingo duty will be increased from 15 per cent to 22 per cent in his Budget statement last month, infuriating many bingo firms already struggling to absorb the impact of the economic downturn.
The tax changes represent a major blow for a lot of clubs and for the rest of the industry.
According to the publication, approximately 90 bingo clubs have been forced to close in the UK since 2006, with the smoking ban also hitting revenues for operators.
Mecca Bingo had complained that the tax changes had been introduced without prior indication or consultation and they recently announced that the new rate of bingo duty is likely to increase its annual tax bill by about £6 million. Mecca Bingo owned by the Rank Group is preparing to open its latest bingo venue in Beeston.
