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January 6, 2026Amid all the talk of tax rises following the Autumn Budget, one part of the gambling industry has come out ahead. Bingo halls have been handed a surprise tax break, offering some rare good news at a time when many businesses are facing higher costs.
While online gambling operators are preparing for increases in duty over the next few years, bingo halls are set to benefit from the removal of a long-standing tax. For a sector built on low stakes and regular local customers, that decision could make a real difference.
A Surprise Win for Bingo Halls
The Chancellor confirmed that the 10% bingo duty will be abolished from April 2026. The duty is currently charged on bingo ticket stakes after prize payouts, and its removal came as an unexpected surprise for clubs across the UK.
Bingo hall operators welcomed this change, calling it a relief after a tough time for hospitality businesses. Rising employment costs, including a National Insurance tax hike, have added pressure over the past year, so the removal of any tax is significant.
For many venues, the duty wasn’t just a financial burden but an administrative one. Its abolition simplifies the way bingo halls operate and gives them more flexibility with prizes and promotions.
Why Bingo Was Treated Differently
Bingo has long been seen as a different type of gambling. Games are usually low cost, often just a few pounds, and the emphasis is as much on social interaction as it is on winning.
A typical night at a bingo hall costs less than other forms of entertainment. That affordability has helped keep bingo popular, with millions of people still playing regularly across the UK.
The game has also changed with the times. While it still has its traditional audience, bingo has attracted younger players in recent years, helping keep halls busy and relevant. This mix of community value and controlled spending appears to have been recognised in the Budget.
A Clear Contrast to Online Gaming Taxes
The positive news for bingo halls sits in contrast to the wider gambling sector. From April 2026, remote gaming duty will rise from 21% to 40%. A new 25% tax on remote betting profits will follow in April 2027.
The Treasury expects operators to pass most of these increases on to customers, either by lowering payouts or reducing offers.
This difference says a lot. It reinforces the idea that bingo is viewed as lower risk and culturally valuable, rather than something to be discouraged by heavy taxation.
Online bingo has been somewhat affected, however it operates differently from many other online gambling products. Spending is generally lower, play is slower, and a large part of its appeal comes from the social side of the games. Because of this, bingo has not faced the same pressure as higher-spend online products.
ITV’s Launch Offers Reassurance
One of the clearest signs of confidence comes from ITV, which is preparing to launch real-money online bingo and slots through its ITV Win brand.
ITV Win already runs free-to-play games and paid competitions linked to popular TV shows The Chase, Deal or No Deal and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, giving it a ready audience. Although the plans were drawn up before the Budget, the launch is still going ahead despite the tax changes.
Final Thoughts
While much of the gambling industry is facing higher costs, bingo stands out as an exception. The removal of bingo duty offers support to physical venues, helping them stay affordable and accessible.
Combined with continued demand and investment in online bingo, the Budget paints a more positive picture for the sector than many expected. At a time when most headlines focus on losses, bingo has come out as one of the few clear winners.
