Camelot Advertisement
A new advertisement by the National Lottery has upset bingo operators across Britain that charge the advert pokes fun unfairly at the industry’s current plight.
According to the Telegraph the advertisement from National Lottery operators Camelot has provoked outcry from the bingo industry that is struggling in the face of new government tax squeezes on bingo winnings.
In the video advertisement for Flamin’ Hot Bingo scratchcards an elderly lady driving a mobility cart navigates the street outside a locked bingo hall displaying a large ‘closed’ sign. Then, to sounds of a scratchboard being used, the scene switches to a sunny beach where the same elderly lady scoots along the promenade in a vamped up colourful cart as she enjoys the benefits of her scratchcard winnings.
National bingo executives expressed ‘outrage’ at the advert that comes at a time when the bingo industry has suffered several major setbacks. The smoking ban, tax on 16pc gross profits and 17.5pc VAT together with a reduction in £500 jackpot machines are all seen as serious blows to the bingo industry. The taxes are seen as particularly unfair because may other forms of gambling are only taxed once. A bingo industry campaign to have the VAT demand removed in the new budget failed to the disappointment of bingo players across Britain who now fear the taxes will wreak havoc with bingo halls and clubs.
Many believe that the new tax arrangements will have a drastic affect on the bingo industry and as many as one in three of bingo halls may close as a direct result. There are currently 600 bingo clubs in Britain and bingo remains one of the most popular national recreations.
For many bingo players and operators the advert is seen as being in particularly bad taste coming, as it does, from the National Lottery that is a government-backed organization. For bingo aficionados the advertisement adds insult to injury when their favourite pastime is under such a serious threat and struggling to compete with other forms of gambling.
However, according to the Telegraph, Camelot denies that the advert in any way refers to the current bingo industry crisis and that the hall featured in the advert is only closed because it is early in the morning and not yet open for sessions. The advert suggests that scratchcards are available for play at all hours of the day.
However bingo operators are unimpressed with the explanation and have demanded that Camelot remove the advert immediately.
As more and more bingo clubs are forced to close many bingo players may be drawn to the Internet where bingo has found a wide fan base. Websites such as www.winkbingo.com run regular and frequent bingo games that are accessible to players from the comfort of their own homes.
In the News Archives
