# Healey’s gambling tax rise threatens 77 bingo halls and 1,200 jobs

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/healey-faces-bingo-backlash-as-budget-tax-raid-puts-77-sites-and-1200-jobs-at-risk/
- Published: 2026-10-29T15:22:14+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-29T15:32:43+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/money/markets/article-16249645/Healey-faces-bingo-backlash-Budget-tax-raid-puts-77-sites-1-200-jobs-risk.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Business, Economy, World

## Key points

- Bingo operators say a 5-point tax rise threatens 77 halls.
- Up to 1,200 jobs could be at risk.
- Rank Group expects a £9 million cost.

## Summary

Chancellor John Healey’s Budget raises Machine Games Duty from 20 per cent to 25 per cent, a measure intended to curb gambling harm and raise money for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses. Bingo operators say the tax will make many halls unprofitable, putting sites and jobs at risk and prompting criticism that bingo has been grouped with more harmful forms of gambling.

The increase is expected to raise £145 million a year, but the Bingo Association estimates 77 of the UK’s 239 halls could become loss-making, with as many as 1,200 jobs at risk. Rank Group, which owns Mecca Bingo, says the change will cost it £9 million and that it is considering mitigating measures, potentially including closures. Bingo leaders argue slot machines provide an important source of income and that clubs also offer social contact, particularly for older and isolated customers.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.