New Savanta polling finds just 23% back the tax if it would close bingo halls, with likely Labour and Reform voters among the most opposed

While around half of the public support an increase in Machine Games Duty (MGD) in principle, support falls to 23%, with 36% opposed, if it would lead to bingo halls closing, according to new Savanta polling published by The Bingo Association ahead of the Budget on 28 October. The Association says the findings show that machine taxes cannot be raised without hurting bingo clubs, and that the public has a place in its heart for them.

Opposition is strongest among younger people, and among the voters the main parties most need to win over. 38% of 16 to 34-year-olds and 39% of 35 to 54-year-olds would oppose the duty if it closed bingo halls, as would 36% of likely Labour voters and 45% of likely Reform voters.

Modelling submitted to the Government shows why. A rise on Category B machines would land directly on bingo clubs: even a five-point rise would increase the number of loss-making clubs to 77, and a doubling of the rate to 40% would leave 102 clubs, 41% of the total, loss-making and put over 3,000 jobs at risk.

For millions of people, a bingo club is much more than a night out. Clubs welcome around 20 million visitors a year and play an integral role in tackling social isolation and loneliness, particularly for older customers, for whom a club can be a last lifeline to social connection. Staff know customers by name, and friendships and a sense of belonging are built over years.

A rise that does not protect bingo would also cut against the Government’s pledge of good growth and “growth in every postcode”. The four largest operators alone are delivering over £50 million of capital investment in 2026, focused outside London and the South East, and investment is the first thing to stop when cash generation falls.

Nicole Garrett, Chief Executive of The Bingo Association, said: “You cannot tax machines without hurting bingo clubs, and it is clear the public does not want to see that happen. When people are asked about a tax rise that would close bingo halls, support falls away, and opposition is particularly high among likely Labour and Reform voters. Bingo clubs have a place in people’s hearts.”

“The Government has promised growth in every postcode. Bingo clubs are already delivering it, with over £125 million a year in tax, thousands of jobs and more than £50 million of investment this year, much of it outside London and the South East. A Machine Games Duty rise that does not consider the disproportionate effect it will have on bingo would put all of that at risk, and close the doors on places that are a lifeline for their communities.”

The Bingo Association is asking the Chancellor to look closely at the impact on bingo clubs before making any change to Machine Games Duty in the Budget on 28 October, and to keep the current 20% rate for machines in licensed bingo clubs.