EXCLUSIVE: UK bingo chief tells Government to "let us get on with it"

Bingo Association CEO Miles Baron has stated that the Government must stop interfering in order for the bingo industry to grow, in an exclusive interview with FIRST.

Baron stated that the land-based bingo industry is still recovering from the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war (which affected energy rates meaning some bingo halls were forced to downsize). Following on from the industry trying to bounce back from those two events, the new budget proposal has further hit the land-based bingo industry.

Baron said: “We're going through some quite difficult consultations as an industry, not just bingo, but the land-based industry with the Gambling Commission. 

“Particularly regarding gaming machines, something called gaming machines technical standards (GMTS). We're in a prolonged consultation with the regulator over the details of that. And if that goes wrong, then that could be something that sets us back. So that is a regulatory headwind.”

When asked what he thinks would further encourage growth of bingo within the UK, the Bingo Association CEO commented: “Non interference from the regulator or from the Government and a period of stability for two or three years. In other words, no changes to tax. No changes to the law. Just let us get on doing what we're good at.

“We've been around for years and one way or the other we will get through it, but it would just be nice to have a year of non interference from either the regulator, the Government, or anything else. And it would mean that people could focus on what they're good at, which is providing bingo for local communities and customers.”

The budget has hit the land-based bingo industry hard, as the suggested gross gaming yield percentage has doubled from 0.1% to 0.2%, national wage and national insurance contributions have increased and business rate relief will soon drop.

All of these factors have - and will continue to - hit the land-based bingo sector and any investments pumped into it.

Using an analogy from the film Jaws, the CEO stated: “It's a bit like 'Jaws', isn't it? Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, then another shark comes along. But, you know, we're a strong resilient industry.”