Bingo boss calls for VAT abolition

Simon Hannah, the chief executive of Riva Gaming, has called for VAT on bingo earnings to be scrapped.

Hannah warned that 100 bingo clubs could close within the next six months, mainly as a result of the smoking ban, the FT reports.

He called for VAT to be scrapped because bingo suffered from 'double taxation'.

'Where betting shops and casinos only pay 15% gross profit tax, we must also pay 17.5% VAT on our bingo income, putting us at a significant commercial disadvantage,' he said.

The industry is meeting with government to discuss the matter this week.

Further reading:

Brown happy to discuss tax concerns with bingo bosses

Bingo seeks VAT relief to clear smoke