EAG360 chair invites UK government to show after machine games tax increase
Nick Harding says the increase in Machine Games Duty and the loss of business rates relief threaten gaming businesses. He plans to share interviews from the show with ministers.
Key points
- The October 28th Autumn Budget raised Machine Games Duty to 25 percent.
- Business Rates Relief for Adult Gaming Centres was also removed.
- EAG360 chair Nick Harding invited Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey to attend.
- Harding plans to send ministers footage and interviews from the show floor.
EAG360 Chairman Nick Harding has invited UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Chancellor John Healey and other cabinet members to the industry show following tax and business rates changes affecting gaming businesses.
The October 28th Autumn Budget increased Machine Games Duty to 25 percent and removed Business Rates Relief for Adult Gaming Centres, G3 Newswire reported. Harding said the duty increase would harm businesses represented at the show.
Harding said he wanted government representatives to meet the businesses and people behind the sectors attending EAG360. His invitation extends to Burnham, Healey and their government colleagues.
Having managed well over 300 similar style enterprises I feel very engaged trying to protect the businesses that EAG360 serves and the people that run them.
Harding predicted that the increase in duty would lead to business closures and job losses, and could reduce Treasury tax receipts. He said the affected sectors include those represented by Bacta, the Bingo Association, the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions and The Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain.
The chairman said EAG360 brings together operators and suppliers across businesses including seaside amusements, gaming venues, casinos, bingo clubs, pubs and visitor attractions. He has worked across sectors including betting, bingo, arcades and adult gaming centres.
The event comprises three co-located shows: Amuse Expo, CompSocUK and the London Gaming Show. Harding said the organizers plan to record short segments and interviews on the show floor and share them with Healey and Burnham.
Sources
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