Hundreds of rowdy bingo supporters gathered outside the House of Parliament yesterday (July 1st) to protest against the tax increase being applied to the bingo industry.  Protestors were furious about the raise, saying that it couldn’t have come at a worst time, with over 90 bingo halls closing down in the last 3 years.

Bingo fans from all over stood in the baking sun with placards bearing slogans like “Gordan Brown – Bingo Killer” and “Hands off our balls”. Demonstrators also wore masks featuring the image of Chancellor Alistair Darling, who is blamed for the recent closure of several bingo halls after tax on the game was raised from 15% to 22% in April’s Budget.

Conservative Tobias Ellwood was one of several MPs that attended the demonstration to show their support.

Ellwood told politics.co.uk: "These guys are coming here to be passionate, to say 'please help us', but also to underline that the general situation in bingo is very serious. They're shutting one or two (bingo halls) a week."

Miss B says: The English government is appalling to hold such high taxes on the gambling industry. I mean virtually every gambling outlet (from sports to bingo) based in the U.K. is ridiculously taxed. I like the placards. “Hands off our balls”, is very catchy.