Bingo Association membership doubles as Gala rejoin

The Bingo Association’s membership – and, therefore, its lobbying power on issues like gambling duty – has doubled in the space of six months, the organisation reports.

Under new chief executive Miles Baron, appointed in October 2012, the total membership of the association has grown from 212 licensed premises to 468. Gala Bingo‘s decision to rejoin the organisation in January accounted for 138 premises alone, while Rileys Sports Bars, Park Resorts and Cashino Gaming have all recently had their applications approved as well.

Mr Baron says: “The increase in membership we have experienced undoubtedly strengthens our position in continuing to lobby against what we believe to be the inequitable tax system levied on bingo.” He adds that land-based bingo currently faces duty at 20% – more than the 15% charged on arcades, bookmakers, and even online bingo.

Lowering the 20% rate to come in line with the rest of the UK gambling sector would help to secure employment for those working in land-based bingo, deliver social benefits and add an estimated £35 million to Exchequer revenues over four years, he claims.

It is the social aspect of bingo that is driving the Bingo Association’s decision-making processes at present; for instance, by loosening its application criteria, the organisation has enabled a wider selection of operators to apply for membership. Park Resorts are one example of this, as their bingo games take place not in conventional halls as such, but on holiday park sites instead.

Sales and marketing director Richie Jones says Park Resorts “felt it was important” to join the Bingo Association due to the popularity of the game among their holidaymakers and at their resorts. Last year the company introduced link games across all 39 of their holiday parks, with larger prizes on offer as a result; by joining the Bingo Association, they now benefit from the support of an experienced industry body.

Gala Bingo rejoined the association in January after five years, as part of an effort to work more closely with other operators within the industry on conditions – such as gambling duty – that affect all businesses working in the sector. At the time, Gala Bingo managing director Simon Wykes said restrictive regulations and unfair taxes “can only ever stifle investment in a business that needs to innovate”, and expressed his desire to collaborate with other members of the association in order to “represent the interests and needs of the industry”.