By Safira Ali

Last updated at 12:33, Friday, 03 July 2009

More than 1,000 bingo fans have signed up to a fight to save the game after fears it could be wiped out by a huge tax rise.

Bosses for bingo halls in Workington, Whitehaven and Penrith asked their customers to sign letters to help save the clubs over the weekend.

They are campaigning after plans were announced for the government to increase the “profit tax” levied on bingo businesses from 15 to 22 per cent – a move that critics say is likely to be the kiss of death for many smaller clubs.

They will be sending the letters to their local MPs to ask for support.

Shaun Edwards, director of Opera Bingo in Workington, told the News & Star that the rise is likely to cripple the business.

He said that the three clubs would lose in excess of £100,000 within a year with the tax rise.

While harder gaming such as bookmakers, the football pools and casinos are being asked to pay a gross profits tax of 15 per cent, bingo’s is to be increased to 22 per cent.

Yesterday Pauline Cairns, deputy manager at Workington, said they had collected 578 signed letters from customers.

The Whitehaven club has collected 300.

She added: “Between the three clubs we have collected about 1,000 signatures. The people are desperate to keep it.

“It is okay for men who may go down the pub, but women prefer this atmosphere. They feel comfortable coming on their own because it is a nice, friendly atmosphere. We are sure the tax rise won’t close our club, but I am sure it will affect the prize money we give to the winners.”

The letter sent to customers says: “I understand that this increase in taxation could well lead to the closure of some bingo clubs and, if our own club closed, this would be a devastating loss to our local community and the thousands like me, who don’t just play bingo for the enjoyment but also for the friendship and community spirit that I believe exists in our club.”

First published at 11:24, Friday, 03 July 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk