Bingo halls wait on tax break to offset smoking ban

Bingo operators have called for a VAT tax break to offset the predicted loss of business from the ban on smoking in their clubs.

Gala and Rank Group have said that up to 200 of their 800 halls could close after the smoking ban is introduced in July, and want VAT to be scrapped on bingo takings.

The operators have to pay VAT and a gross profits tax, which they say is unfair, according to The Sunday Times.

Rank chief executive Ian Burke said it was time to rectify some of the things that have 'survived longer than they ought to have done'.

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