The United Kingdom’s 2009 budget has signaled bad news for gaming operating, with an increase in gross profits tax to hit bingo sites, slots and casino poker rooms.
The new tax, which comes as a replacement for the government’s controversial value-added tax, will hit online bingo the tax increases from 15 percent to 22 percent.
Slots and other gaming machines will suffer a nine percent tax increase.
Bookmakers were happier with the budget after avoiding a hike in gross profits tax.
The chairman of the Association of British Bookmakers, Warwick Bartlett said his organization was able to show that an increase in the tax would have led the loss of as many as 1000 shops.
Also Warwick Bartlett said: “The government realizes the priority was to protect jobs,”.
