High street ‘slot farms’ could evade budget tax rise through bingo hall loophole

Hundreds of adult gaming centres in England have bingo licences that still qualify them for discounted business rates

Hundreds of high street “slot farms” could continue claiming a discount on their business rates, unless the government closes a loophole that allows them to pose as bingo halls.

John Healey singled out adult gaming centres (AGCs) in his first budget this week, in which he increased duty on slot machine takings from 20% to 25%, claiming he was “raising taxes on gambling to support good growth on every high street”.

As well as raising the duty, which will also affect bookmakers and casinos, he said AGCs and vape shops in England would no longer be eligible for a discount on business rates aimed at leisure and hospitality businesses.