Riva Bingo Demands Action

Riva Gaming's chief executive Simon Hannah warned in the Financial Times that as many as a hundred UK land bingo clubs could close within the next six months if taxation on the industry is not changed. He warned that the 'double taxation' imposed by the combined VAT and gross profit tax is putting the industry at a significant commercial disadvantage.

 
"Where betting shops and casinos only pay 15 percent gross profit tax, we must also pay 17.5 percent VAT on our bingo income, putting us at a significant commercial disadvantage," the bingo company executive said.
 
Riva is one of the most technologically progressive of the bingo operators in the UK, introducing electronic bingo innovations earlier this year.
 
The industry is meeting with government to discuss the matter this week.