Bingo News for 14th May 2008

Meechan's lawyer said of the crime that the defendant stole the money to top up her meagre salary of £140 per week and not to "supplement a lavish lifestyle".

Lawyer Jane Malcolm went on to say that Meechan realised she abused her position of trust and that she is deeply ashamed.

Meechan was sentence to 8 months in prison whilst Ricalton had received a 14 month jail sentence.

Just goes to show, crime doesn't pay!

Reported in Banbury Guardian 13/05/2008

Taunton Councillor slams double taxation on bingo

A local councillor planning to stand for the Conservatives in the next General Election in Taunton spent the afternoon being a bingo caller at a Mecca Bingo hall in what he hopes to be his constituency. Mark Formosa called the numbers for the afternoon session and then spoke about his views on the double taxation levied against bingo.

He claims that over half the country's land based bingo halls have closed over the last 20 years and another 100 are predicted to close their doors in the next 12 months.

He was reported as saying how much he had enjoyed his afternoon at the club but that he found being a bingo caller quite nerve-wracking.

Speaking about the industry as a whole he went on to say "As an industry, it also contributes substantial revenues to the economy through duties, Income Tax, National Insurance contributions, business rates, and capital investment, as well as supporting many other businesses which supply services. The cost to the Treasury of ending VAT on bingo revenues would be far outweighed by the cost to the economy of further club closures."

Reported in Somerset County Gazette 11/05/2008