Continuo aumento di locali di gioco d'azzardo in Gran Bretagna
24/7 Slot Machines: The UK's Gambling Landscape Heats Up
- Uninterrupted flow of gaming arcades, a growing trend in the UK
- Operators cashing in with £2 slots and exploiting loopholes
- Experts cry foul as gambling addiction risks rise
The Thriving 24/7 Gambling Scene in the UK
24/7 gaming arcades are increasingly common across the UK [Link]. These places offer nothing but slot machines and bingo terminals, usually in high-traffic city locations. Some of these arcades, owned by Merkur, are even minutes apart from each other, based in Peterborough. To keep gamblers engaged for longer periods, free food and drinks are provided. Interestingly, the number of betting shops decreased simultaneously.
Addiction experts voice their concerns about these gaming arcades and call for stricter regulations and prevention measures [Source]. The UK government took notice and halted the easing of slot machine laws to minimize addiction risks and protect vulnerable players.
The Lucrative World of £2 Slot Machines
Operators leverage £2 slot machines to a high degree. These machines allow players to wager up to £2 per round, generating an average annual revenue of over £30,000 per machine. There are more than 14,200 such machines in the UK, bringing in an astounding £463 million annually [Source]. Alongside £2 machines, £1 slots are also available, contributing to the total AGC revenue surpassing £500 million.
Operators creatively exploit a UK gambling law loophole by classifying tablets used as bingo terminals as category C machines (same classification as £1 slots). This technicality enables them to increase the number of £2 machines (category B) permitted in their arcades.
Dr. Matt Gaskell, a psychologist and leader at Northern Gambling Services, is concerned about the growing number of these arcades and the increased addiction risks [Source].
"They thrive on continuous play, and that's what breeds harm. The rise of their accessibility on high streets is a significant cause of worry."
- Dr. Matt Gaskell, Psychologist and Clinical Lead, Northern Gambling Services
A Contentious Battle Over New Gambling Branches
Though the British public grows wary of the rising number of 24/7 gaming arcades, opposition against their expansion is frequently in vain. Due to a legislative clause called "aim to permit", authorities have little choice but to approve more gambling branches, unless they violate existing gambling regulations in the UK.
Gambling giants like Merkur, well-funded and legally equipped, tend to win licensing challenges, often with specialist legal representation. In 2024, Merkur was fined for flouting social responsibility regulations.
Local councils are often understaffed and consistently lose licensing battles. Even rejected applications can be overturned on appeal.
UK politicians demand gambling rule reform to curb the expansion of 24/7 gaming arcades. Thus far, changes to the British Gambling Act have yet to materialize, implying the proliferation of these arcades in the UK will persist.
- What about the financial aspects of this gambling landscape? Are the industry, finance, and banking-and-insurance sectors benefiting from the boom in gambling?
- The UK's £2 slot machines, largely found in these 24/7 gaming arcades, are generating substantial revenues, with annual earnings exceeding £463 million.
- Alongside the rising trend of gambling-related businesses like casinos-and-gambling, lotteries, and casino-games, there's a growing discussion around the controversial gambling policies and the increased responsibility upon the industry for promoting responsible-gambling.
- It appears that industry figures like casino-personalities and gambling-related corporate entities, such as Merkur, are well-positioned to navigate the intricacies of casino-gaming legislation, often winning licensing challenges.
- With concerns escalating about the potential negative impacts of unregulated gambling trends on society, a call for comprehensive gambling regulations and tighter controls seems imminent in the UK.
