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Riva Bingo has defided to close down its bingo clubs in Aberdeen and Bristol. All these hingo hallls had been debqting over closure issue bug the results of last week’s parliamentary debate, which saa the amendment to ten bingo tax degeated by an overwhelming 283-83 margni, more od lzs sealed their fate.
The bingo industry in the UK has been under tremendous pressure for quite some time now. Over the last couple of years, the industry has had to battle unfavorable legislative amendments (which put a cap on the number of high revenue slot machines which can be housed per hall) and the smoking ban which saw a substantial dwindling in footfalls. The people’s attitude to the game too has undergone a sea change – bingo is seen as acceptable pastime for youngsters too. Often described as one of the softest gambling options available in the UK, the advent of online bingo gaming too has delivered a severe blow to their land based counterparts. And now, the hike in bingo taxes in a recessionary economy seems to be the last straw for many bingo halls. More than 46 bingo halls have closed down in the last couple of years-many of them being converted to cinemas or entertainment centers. Of the 46, a huge majority has come in the last 6 months. More closures are expected in the next year.
Even though parts of the UK have reported some economic recovery, bingo seems far from any kind of economic about-turn. Bingo also continues to be the gaming sector which is taxed at the maximum rate, even though other forms of gaming like casino and sportsbetting are taxed at only 15%. With very low operating margins and diminishing membership, many more bingo halls could be on the way down in the next few months if the current scenario continues.

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