BINGO players in Harlow are calling on the Government to scrap its decision to raise the tax duty on the profits paid by the promoters to 22 per cent.
More than 160 customers and staff at the Mecca bingo hall in Terminus Street have written to MP Bill Rammell to complain about the rise.
Mecca manager Bernie Dullaghan said: “Our customers just can’t understand why the Government is targeting women.
“It just doesn’t seem to be fair that someone can go to bookies and place a bet and only pay 15 per cent tax while our customers have to pay 22 per cent.
“For some this is the only opportunity they have to socialise with other people and it would be criminal if clubs are forced to close because the Government is discriminating against one of the nation’s favourite past times.”
Mr Rammell said he had been told by Treasury officials that recent changes to bingo taxation had removed the VAT charged on participation fees but increased bingo duty.
“I have written to the Chancellor to seek further reasuurances as I feel bingo provides an excellent lesiure and social activity, in particluar for older people,” he added.