New legislation could spell the end of the local Bingo

The local Bingo halls could be forced to close if new gambling laws capping prize money leads to a drop in footfall.

Legislation planned to modernise gambling laws, due to come before the Dáil on Wednesday, would put a cap on prize money of 50 per cent of a bingo hall’s takings on a night – a sharp drop from current prize rates of between 75 and 85 per cent.

The proposed new payment matrix of: a maximum of 50 per cent of the proceeds to prizes, a maximum of 25 per cent to the charity, and a maximum of 25 per cent to expenses incurred in the operation of the lottery.

Groups from a “Save Our Bingo” campaign are planning to hold a rally outside Leinster House on Tuesday.