Category: General

The AAMS (Autonomous Administration of the State Monopoly) of Italy has adopted, in an experimental procedure, a tax reduction for bingo halls in an effort to revitalize the industry during a period of economic downturn and a decrease in consumer numbers. The tax has been halved from 24% to a much more reasonable 12%, with 70% of the sale of tickets now being allocated to jackpots.

The government decided to react after the economic crisis put severe pressure bingo operators and threatened the sector with collapse. During the first semester of 2009, the bingo industry suffered a 13.1% loss in profits. The reduction in tax came into force on 1 December 2009 and will be in place for a trial period. A definitive and final decision will be taken in 2010 on whether or not to maintain the fiscal level, based on the results obtained.

Not surprisingly, bingo operators in the country have reacted positively to the move and have stated that it will have great and beneficial results on their sector, and will enable them to better handle the recession.

Print