UK Government Blasted for Dithering over Bingo Relief - 06-23-08

June 23- The British government has come under heavy fire by bingo operators and other interest groups regarding its dithering over a possible relief plan to aid the country's struggling land-based bingo industry.

Earlier this year, the British Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe gave his word that he would bail out the UK bingo industry that has been affected by a host of new laws that has seen revenues dive and many clubs close down.

Sutcliffe said in March that he would be making an announcement "shortly" on ways to "get bingo through the difficulties" that were facing it.  He said that the plight of the bingo halls was "an important issue in all our constituencies."

On May 12, Sutcliffe promised a written statement "very shortly". However, since then, no announcement has been forthcoming, and industry operators are starting to lose patience with the foot dragging involved.

The Chief Executive of the UK Bingo Association, Paul Talboys, blasted Sutcliffe for continuously putting off the announcement and said that "the effects of the issues facing bingo have not lessened in the past six months... making this delay totally unfathomable."

As more and more bingo clubs are forced to close their doors to a usually very loyal customer base, UK bingo operators are getting desperate. In the past two weeks alone, three clubs have shut down and the other 600 are struggling to find ways to break even after a sweeping smoking ban, double taxation and a forced cut in the number of high-revenue jackpot machines on site.

"Decision makers need to do exactly that: Make a decision and stand by it, not continue dithering while bingo burns!" exclaimed one bingo club owner. "The industry doesn't need anymore 'sympathy' from the minister, it needs action!"

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