Slot machine venues could retain rate discounts through bingo licence loophole

Hundreds of adult gaming centers in England could continue to claim discounted business rates by using bingo licences, the Guardian reported. The loophole allows high street slot machine venues to pose as bingo halls despite recent tax increases targeted at the gambling sector. [1]

Chancellor John Healey recently increased the duty on slot machine takings from 20 percent to 25 percent in his first budget, according to the Guardian. Healey stated that he was raising taxes on gambling to support growth on high streets, with the tax hike also affecting bookmakers. [1]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, Chancellor John Healey had been considering increases to machine games duty ahead of the budget. Gambling operators including Betfred had previously warned that higher duties on slot machines could lead to shop closures across the United Kingdom. [2]

The business rates discount remains available to adult gaming centers holding bingo licences unless the government acts to close the loophole, the Guardian reported. [1]