Protests against bingo tax intensifies with participation of Carlisle Bingo fans

Bingo players from Carlisle have urged their local MP to register a strong protest against an unjustified hike in bingo tax.

The government has proposed an increase in tax from 15 to 22 percent in the current year’s budget. This angered the bingo industry and has led to a strong outcry from the public all over the UK.

According to a Cumberland News report, more than 1,200 bingo players have come together and submitted a letter to local MP Martlew, voicing their strong protest over the new tax rates and urging him to take up the issue with the government.

Peter Lawton, owner of the local Rex Bingo club explained that a hike in taxes will affect all bingo clubs severely and make their survival extremely difficult. He claimed that an increase in tax will put on an additional burden of £17,500 per year.

Rex Bingo has been running its business in the Denton Holme area of Carlisle since 1965. As the popularity of this form of entertainment grew at an accelerated rate, Gala Bingo also established a bingo hall in the city.

The participation of bingo enthusiasts in these huge numbers reflects strong public opinion against the tax hike. While bingo halls are great platforms for socialising, they are an important source of livelihood for many. Tremendous pressure is mounting on local politicians in various towns and cities across the UK to withdraw the hike and save bingo halls from permanent closure.