A poll from Savanta has found that just 23 percent of the public support an increase in MGD when the impact on bingo halls is taken into account, with the sentiment spread across the political divide.
New polling from Savanta has revealed that though less than half of the UK public support a rise in MGD in principle, the numbers in favour of the increase plummeted to 23 percent when informed it would result in the closure of bingo halls.
Published by the Bingo Association, the research also found 36 percent are actively opposed to a higher tax when clubs are at stake, with the sentiment spread across the political divide.
“An increase in Machine Games Duty should not come at the cost of bingo clubs, jobs and the communities they serve,” said the Bingo Association. “And when the public understands what an MGD rise could mean for bingo, they agree.”
“Bingo clubs are investing in their venues and communities following the abolition of bingo duty. Increasing MGD now undermines that progress. The message is simple: don’t put clubs at risk through an increase to MGD.”
The Bingo Association has been busy on media slots highlighting the potential impact increased MGD would have on the sector, submitting research to ministers which shows a 5 percent rise would make more than 70 clubs unprofitable, while an increase to 40 percent would affect 102 clubs, more than 40 percent of the total UK land-based industry.
“You cannot tax machines without hurting bingo clubs, and it is clear the public does not want to see that happen,” said BA CEO Nicole Garrett. “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 £125m a year in tax, thousands of jobs and more than £50m 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 argument is also being echoed across the Members Clubs community, most vocally by the Gambling Business Group, the CIU and industry suppliers Dransfields.
MGD: from a full house to no house
Nicole Garrett said… “Bingo clubs are investing in their venues and communities following the abolition of bingo duty. Increasing MGD now undermines that progress. The message is simple: don’t put clubs at risk through an increase to MGD…
Originally published on Coinslot on October 26, 2026. Republished with permission.