Members of the bingo industry have called bingo fans to save Irish clubs, which have been severely affected by the smoking ban. The plea to save bingo halls was launched at Holyrood and it included the consequences of the new Gambling Act and the Vat and gambling taxes imposed on the activities of bingo operators.

Besides, the most important bingo operators in Ireland have addressed the petitions committee and urged MSPs to request the Executive a discussion of their case with Westminster. They want the tax on bingo clubs to be brought into line with the rest of the gaming industry.

SNP MSP Bob Doris presented a motion to cut the VAT paid by bingo halls so as to even it out with the same tax paid by other gaming industries. “For many, especially elderly women, the bingo is a place they feel comfortable in and it is unfair that should be jeopardized by an exclusive extra level of taxation,” Doris explained.