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County exec proposes bingo tax hike
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(Arianne Starnes/For The Baltimore Examiner)
Mary Furkins, of Glen Burnie, wins $80 playing bingo Thursday at the Stoney Creek Democratic Club in Pasadena. The county executive proposed an increase in commercial bingo taxes. A measure proposed by Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold would increase taxes for the county’s commercial bingo parlors, which rake in about $12 million each year. It would boost the tax from 7.5 percent to 10 percent, generating about $300,000 each year, Leopold said. The bill formally will be introduced to the County Council Monday. “I talked to the state comptroller about ensuring that Anne Arundel County gets all the amusement tax it was entitled to,” Leopold said. “Bingo pays only 7.5 percent, while all other amusement enterprises pay 10 percent. I think it is altogether fitting and appropriate that all of these are on an even playing field with the same tax rate,” Leopold said. Amusement taxes are paid by entertainment industries, such as theaters and carnivals. Three commercial bingo parlors would be affected by the increase: Wayson’s Bingo in Lothian, Delta Daily Double in Laurel and Bingo World in Brooklyn Park. Representatives for the three venues could not be reached for comment Thursday. “The tax is on activities that are optional in nature. People don’t have to gamble. It’s not going to keep people from putting food on the table,” said Councilman Ed Reilly, who plans to vote for the bill. “I think it will be a seamless transition. It’s not going to have a big adverse effect on the bingo facilities or employees because the tax increase can be washed out with the prize money,” Reilly said. Charity bingo games in the county will not be affected by the tax increase. “I don’t go to commercial bingos, I go to charitable ones. I don’t want to throw in money and have someone else make the money,” said Hazel Kenny, of Riva, who plays bingo every week at the Knights of Columbus facility in Parole. “I say, tax [the commercial bingos], because that is some private organization making money,” Kenny said. The bingo tax is not the only tax increase Leopold has supported recently. He also has expressed support for two measures currently being scrutinized by the Maryland General Assembly that would increase taxes and revenues in the county. One measure would allow the county to tax rental cars. Another would cause big corporations to pay the county more money in property transfer taxes. lgreenback@baltimoreexaminer.com |