Budget Surprise: Bingo Duty Abolished, Boosting Halls

Traditional bingo halls are set to receive a significant boost following the abolition of the 10% bingo gambling duty. Announced in the recent Budget, this change will take effect from April next year. The move is hailed as a welcome surprise, particularly for independent venues like Dabbers Social Bingo, which cited the administrative burden of the previous tax.

This reform contrasts with increased taxes on remote gaming, which will rise from 21% to 40%, and a new 25% tax on remote betting from April 2027. The Treasury aims to generate £1.1 billion over five years from these adjustments. The Bingo Association anticipates this will provide clubs with the stability needed to reinvest and modernize, securing thousands of jobs.

Beyond taxation, the Budget also allocates £26 million over three years to combat the unlawful gambling market. While welcomed, some experts note this is a small sum compared to the multi-billion-pound size of the industry. The changes aim to support the evolving appeal of bingo, which has attracted a younger demographic and remains a popular social activity.