The cost of the licence (yet to be determined) will be an extra source of revenue to the Exchequer from the gambling industry. At present, bingo pays 20% tax, online bingo 15% and an offshore bingo website 0%. If the offshore sites now have to pay a license fee, we hope that will enable excessive taxation on bingo to be reduced.

As well as bringing in revenue to the UK, the proposals are also to ensure that British consumers will enjoy consistent standards of protection, no matter which online gambling site they visit. For example, overseas operators will be required to inform the UK regulator about suspicious betting patterns to help fight illegal activity and corruption in sports betting. We welcome these changes.

The measures are good news for customers and for clubs alike. However, they do not offset concerns about the continuing high levels of bingo tax, as well as new worries over the new Machines Gaming Duty that will soon be introduced.

That this House recognises the important social and community role that bingo plays across the United Kingdom; believes the current 20 per cent. gross profit tax on bingo should be lowered to 15 per cent. to bring it in line with taxation on other forms of gambling; and supports a new report by the Bingo Association and Ernst and Young that demonstrates that such a reduction in taxation would have significant benefits for the Exchequer and would raise an additional 65 million in the period from 2011 to 2014.

Aldous, Peter Conservative Party Waveney 29.06.2011

Betts, Clive Labour Party Sheffield South East 14.06.2011

Binley, Brian Conservative Party Northampton South 14.06.2011

Brady, Graham Conservative Party Altrincham and Sale West 14.06.2011

Burt, Lorely Liberal Democrats Solihull 15.06.2011

Campbell, Ronnie Labour Party Blyth Valley 15.06.2011

Cooper, Rosie Labour Party West Lancashire 16.06.2011

Crausby, David Labour Party Bolton North East 21.06.2011

Davies, Philip Conservative Party Shipley 14.06.2011

Dobbin, Jim Labour Party Heywood and Middleton 15.06.2011

Doran, Frank Labour Party Aberdeen North 28.06.2011

Durkan, Mark Social Democratic and Labour Party Foyle 15.06.2011

Foster, Don Liberal Democrats Bath 14.06.2011

Glindon, Mary Labour Party North Tyneside 20.06.2011

Godsiff, Roger Labour Party Birmingham Hall Green 22.06.2011

Halfon, Robert Conservative Party Harlow 14.06.2011

Hancock, Mike Liberal Democrats Portsmouth South 16.06.2011

Hemming, John Liberal Democrats Birmingham Yardley 14.06.2011

Henderson, Gordon Conservative Party Sittingbourne and Sheppey 30.06.2011

Hopkins, Kelvin Labour Party Luton North 16.06.2011

Kirby, Simon Conservative Party Brighton Kemptown 27.06.2011

Leech, John Liberal Democrats Manchester Withington 16.06.2011

Morris, Grahame M Labour Party Easington 21.06.2011

Osborne, Sandra Labour Party Ayr Carrick and Cumnock 22.06.2011

Owen, Albert Labour Party Ynys Môn 21.06.2011

Pugh, John Liberal Democrats Southport 30.06.2011

Rotheram, Steve Labour Party Liverpool Walton 17.06.2011

Roy, Lindsay Labour Party Glenrothes 20.06.2011

Russell, Bob Liberal Democrats Colchester 30.06.2011

Sanders, Adrian Liberal Democrats Torbay 15.06.2011

Stuart, Graham Conservative Party Beverley and Holderness 14.06.2011

Weir, Mike Scottish National Party Angus 16.06.2011

See a video of his visit, here.

DJs Chris Moyles, Greg James and the breakfast show team shocked regulars when they popped into the Rex on Denton Street for a round and some dinner.

The visit was kept top secret until the last minute because of security. Staff weren’t even told that the stars were stopping by until an hour before they visited.

Charlotte Kennedy, marketing manager of Opera Bingo, seized an opportunity to host the Radio 1 stars with a chance email to the station. She was thrilled when they took her up on the offer.

Charlotte told the News and Star: “I knew Chris and Greg were broadcasting from Cumbria this week so I sent invited them to come along. The whole gang, 16 of them, turned up and they really enjoyed themselves.

“I think it was a bit of a shock for the staff and the customers but everyone had a great night.”

Throughout the breakfast show yesterday morning the team talked about their night at the bingo and the food they ate. They even developed a game inspired by the experience.

Charlotte added: “Chris and Greg talked about their night at the bingo on air which is fantastic.

“We were able to give them a home cooked dinner too. “There was steak pie, scampi and chips and Cumberland sausage.”

She added: “They played traditional bingo with the books and Dave and Aled also had a go at the electronic bingo.

“Unfortunately none of them won a game. But despite this, it appears to have turned them into bingo fans.”

Original source: News&Star

Tom Greatrex MP said:

“I was delighted to have the opportunity to visit Mecca Bingo in Rutherglen this week. Sadly I didn’t manage to get involved in a game whilst I was there – although I am not sure I would have been able to keep up, and have a new appreciation for those who are able to keep a close eye on several books at the one time.

As well being able to meet with local people, and pick up a few tips from experienced bingo players, the visit also gave me the chance to discuss the level of taxation imposed on bingo.

Bingo has a very important social function in communities throughout my constituency, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds for a fun few hours. It is concerning, then, that bingo should be subject to higher levels of taxation than other forms of gambling. I have written to the Tory Treasury Minister, Justine Greening MP, about this, calling for tax on bingo to be reduced.

I am grateful to the staff at the Rutherglen Mecca for taking the time to meet with me, in particular the manager Julia Griffin.”

Alan Johnson, the former Home Secretary and current Shadow Chancellor visited his Mecca Bingo at Hull Cecil within his constituency, Kingston Upon Hull West and Hessle, on Friday 12^th November to call some numbers and find out how the industry is being damaged by excessive and unfair taxation.

It is widely recognised that bingo clubs play an important role within their communities, bringing people together and aiding social inclusion. Despite this, bingo clubs remain subject to a higher rate of taxation (20% Gross Profit Tax) than other forms of gambling, including online bingo (15%) and high street bookmakers (15%).

Steve Jones from Mecca Hull Cecil said he was delighted that Alan had visited his local club. Steve said: “We appreciate Alan taking time out of hjs busy schedule to visit the club and talk to the team members about the social importance of bingo and its place in the local community. We hope that he will be able to use his role as Shadow Chancellor to press for a reduction in the unfair taxation of bingo.”

Alan said: “This is my first visit to the club and it was good to see first-hand just how important bingo is to customers from a social interaction perspective.”

Alan continued: “Mecca Bingo plays a key role in local communities so it’s important that they are subject to a fair tax regime.”

The Bingo Association is delighted to announce the formation of a new All Party Parliamentary Group on Bingo. The Group, which will represent the interests of the bingo industry in Parliament, held its first Annual General Meeting on 26th October 2010 and will now embark on a programme of activity to ensure that parliamentarians are kept abreast of the industry’s developments and issues.

The Group will be chaired by the Conservative MP Brian Binley (Northampton South), who is also Chairman of the All Party Group on Small Business and a member of the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee. Brian Binley said:

“I am delighted to have been elected as chair of the APPG on Bingo. I have consistently called for a fairer taxation system for bingo halls in light of the social importance and that issue is a top priority for the group.”

“You cannot underestimate the importance of Bingo halls in the United Kingdom and I have been saddened by the closure of so many clubs over the last five years.”

New Labour MP Luciana Berger, elected as Secretary of the Group, said:

“Bingo was a big issue on the doorstep ahead of this year’s election, which is why I pledged that if I was elected I would help the bingo industry reduce its tax burden. I am proud to have supported the bingo industry in the past but am now grateful that this new All Party Group has been formed to help drive the campaign forwards.”

Other officers of the Group include Conservatives Edward Timpson and Rob Halfon as Vice Chairs and Liberal Democrat John Hemming as Treasurer.

The Group’s secretariat will be provided by the Bingo Association, supported by Luther Pendragon. Paul Talboys, Chief Executive of the Bingo Association, suggested the Group would be meeting several times each year, including trips to bingo clubs and a reception in Parliament, and would also be asking ministers from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as well as the Treasury to address it.

Margaret Hodge, the Labour MP for Barking and Dagenham, visited Mecca Bingo in Dagenham on Friday 12^th November to see at first hand the look and feel of the newly relaunched club.

Following a £1.5m refurbishment, the new-look club features different zones to fit different moods, including a Social Lounge and new late-night entertainment. Those who like a more traditional bingo experience can still play paper-based bingo in either the main auditorium or the new Social Lounge.  But for those who are looking for a more modern experience, there is the option to play on the Electronic Bingo Terminals called E-Bingo which can be played anywhere in the club.

Ms Hodge, who called the bingo during her visit, also spoke to Sue Thornton, Mecca Dagenham’s General Manager about how the industry is being damaged by excessive and unfair taxation

It is widely recognised that bingo clubs play an important role within their communities, bringing people together and aiding social inclusion. Despite this, bingo clubs remain subject to a higher rate of taxation (20% Gross Profit Tax) than other forms of gambling, including online bingo (15%) and high street bookmakers (15%).

Sue Thornton from Mecca Dagenham said she was delighted that Margaret had visited her local club. Sue said: “We appreciate Margaret taking time out of her busy schedule to visit the new-look club and talk to the team members about the social importance of bingo and its place in the local community.”

Margaret said: “This is my first visit to the club following the relaunch and I am very impressed with the refurbishment. The club looks great and the team members are very enthusiastic and proud of the club so I am sure all the customers will have a great time when there. Mecca Bingo is investing in the future of bingo so it’s important that we continue to campaign for a fair tax regime. Most of the people who play bingo use it as an opportunity for social interaction and there is no logic as to why it pays more tax than other forms of gambling.”

Following her visit to Mecca Bingo, Ms Hodge has become a member of theAll Party Parliamentary Group on Bingo. The Group represents the interests of the bingo industry in Parliament and is embarking on a programme of activity to ensure that parliamentarians are kept abreast of the industry’s developments and issues.