Bingo Halls Suffering
View PDF | Print View | Html View
Written by: Russell Shaw
Total views: 10 |
Word Count: 377 |
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2009 |
0 comments
The current global economic crisis is hitting the bingo industry, with disastrous results for players. The recession over the last year has seen a large number of bingo halls close, as well as a significant reduction in the number of players in those that have remained open. It is estimated that in the last three years, as the economic crisis quietly began, over one hundred bingo halls all over the country have closed. In the last five months over a dozen such halls have closed.
Sadly, the bingo industry is receiving no help from the government at this difficult time, even though bingo is a service that many of the most vulnerable members of the population need to keep up their health and well being. Many people are blaming the recent rise in taxation, brought about by the government, from fifteen to twenty two percent for the downturn in bingo's success over recent months. The massive increase in tax has been spoken out against by a large number of bingo players and workers, as well as a significant number of MPs. However, the change has remained in place. It means that bingo halls are struggling to pay their rent for the building, and are having to cope with this by charging players more per game. In the worst cases the halls simply cannot survive and are forced to shut down.
Recent reports have suggested that the close of these bingo halls is having a very negative effect on communities. Older and vulnerable people are the most likely to use bingo halls, and often they are the only point of socialization they have with the outside world. Bingo halls are the centre of the community for many elderly people, and it stands to reason that they are suffering greatly now that they have begun to close down.
About the Author
Bingo companies, and players have been affected by the tax rise. This has affected players that prefer bingo halls to online bingo. It is important that companies do more to work with the market and the government to ensure that halls are no further affected.
Rating: Not yet rated
