Mecca Bingo wished to highlight to the Government and the wider political establishment the negative effect that double taxation is having on bingo clubs in the UK. It also sought to repeal VAT on bingo or achieve alternative fiscal stimulus equivalent to a repeal.   

Quintus Communications, now part of Luther Pendragon, utilised Mecca Bingo’s large constituency footprint to gain support from cross-party MPs and Government departments to lobby HM Treasury.  The Prime Minister met with the industry and the Chancellor, Foreign secretary, Environment Secretary, and a Foreign Office minister (amingst others) have all visited their local Mecca clubs.  The team has helped build a campaign which has included over 20 oral questions, including one at Prime Minister’s questions, over 70 written parliamentary questions tabled on the subject of bingo and a Westminster Hall debate. 

In the 2009 Budget the campaign hit success as the Government scrapped double taxation of bingo. However, the levels of Bingo Duty were raised and so the campaign was stepped up for a further six months, resulting in a reduction in bingo duty from 22 to 20% in addition to the previous scrapping of VAT on bingo.

Shortlisted for the CIPR excellence awards 2010.

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