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June 27 - The UK land-based bingo industry enjoyed a bit of relief yesterday
when the country's gambling minister, Gerry Sutcliffe, announced the relaxing of
certain restrictions that had been imposed on local bingo halls in recent
years.
In particular, Sutcliffe said that bingo halls could essentially increase
their 1 GBP stake/500 GBP prize slot machines from four to eight per premise, an
improvement on the cap that was placed on these machines by the government, but
still a far cry from the 16 per bingo hall that was requested by the bingo
industry.
Sutcliffe said that the easing on restrictions came in the wake of a 15%
decline in revenue seen at bingo halls due to a number of factors, including a
smoking ban, double taxation and the reduction of the 500 GBP slot machines. He
stressed, however, that the recent move was a one-off gesture.
"Bingo clubs also play a crucial role in many communities," he said, "and we
want to see them continue...It is therefore of great concern that nearly 100
bingo clubs have closed down in the last four years. I'm confident that allowing
a small increase in bingo clubs will provide much needed help to struggling
clubs without putting public protection at risk. I hope to implement these plans
by the end of the year."
The Chief Executive of the UK Bingo Association said that Sutcliffe's
announcement was "the end of a long and frustrating wait."
"We believe that today's announcement will go some way in addressing the
adverse position bingo operates under," said Paul Talboys. "Our hope is that
this can be implemented as soon as practically possible, as the future of many
clubs depends on it."
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* UK Government Blasted for Dithering over Bingo Relief - 06-23-08
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