What the Sunday papers said…

Britain's bingo operators are demanding a£100m tax rebate to compensate them for lost business due to the smoking ban. Sir Peter Fry, chairman of the Bingo Association, will meet Scottish politicians to try and claw back some of the 20 per cent-plus drop in revenue at Scottish bingo halls since the start of the smoking ban in March this year. - The Business​

Foster's share buyback scheme, announced last week, is either a pointer to strong cash flow or a defensive ploy against a possible takeover bid. An approach is entirely plausible, given its cash flow and strong brand portfolio. Private equity houses would be keen to leverage the brewer's balance sheet and break up the business. - The Business​

JD Wetherspoon is expected to reveal pre-tax profits this week up to 20 per cent better than the previous year. The group is set to beat the City's consensus forecast of £55m pre-tax profits for the year. However the reliance on fruit machines - used predominantly by smoking customers - is likely to have a longer-term impact on trading. - Sunday Express​

City brokers Lehman Brothers is expecting JD Wetherspoon to post pre-tax profits of £57m for this year, versus £47m for the previous 12 months. Shares in the pub chain have risen 60 per cent in the last year, touching a six-year high of 454.75p at the end of July. - Independent On Sunday​

A hot European summer and the World Cup boosted beer sales for the region's brewers, including Heineken. The Dutch brewing giant has boosted its presence in eastern Europe and the US - where its premium light product has been well received - although it maintains western Europe remains difficult. Management is believed to be on course to achieve €200m in cost savings by the end of the 2008 financial year. - The Business​