Retiring bingo boss slams Government

THE founder of Gala Coral has attacked the Government's policies on leisure as he announced he is stepping down as chairman of the company.

John Kelly said his 11-year reign has been hampered by "unhelpful" policy-making as he built the business, which is now one of Britain's biggest private companies.

The smoking ban has already been blamed as one of the of the factors behind the closure of the Gala bingo hall in West Granton.

Mr Kelly, 61, is the fourth leisure boss to criticise the Government recently, following Punch Taverns chief executive Giles Thorley, JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin and Rank boss Ian Burke.

Mr Kelly led a management buyout of 130 bingo clubs in 1997 and transformed the company with the £2.2 billion purchase of bookmaker Coral in 2005. He had added the 31 Ladbrokes casinos in 2000.

But he said the 2005 Gambling Act had not helped the industry, while double taxation on bingo products "inflames" him every single day.

"The Government over a period of many years has really not dealt with this sector well from either a legislative or a fiscal perspective," said Mr Kelly.

Mr Kelly will leave the group in October, and will be succeeded by chief executive Neil Goulden.