Non-Stop Gambling Venues in Britain: Swift Surge in Operating 24/7 Casinos
Unleashing the 24/7 Gaming Wars: UK's Assertive Arcades and Gambling Quagmire
- The growing tide of round-the-clock gaming arcades in the UK
- Cashing in with £2 slots and exploiting legal chinks
- Experts caution the gamble addictcan's struggle
The Surge of 24/7 Gaming Arcades and Accumulating Anxiety
Adult Gaming Centres, popular gaming arcades offering slot machines and bingo terminals, are multiplying across the UK [Link in English]. These centers are usually located in the city heart and operate round the clock, luring patrons effortlessly.
Merkur, a leading gaming supplier, has set up over 100 new Adult Gaming Centres in the UK since 2020. As if this wasn't enough, Peterborough even witnesses multiple Merkur centers within walking distance. To keep players in the fray longer, suppliers furnish free refreshments. Simultaneously, the number of betting shop branches has noticeably dwindled.
Gambling addiction specialists raise a red flag, emphasizing the rising risks associated with Adult Gaming Centres and advocating stricter regulations and prevention measures [Link in English]. Recently, the UK government reconsidered its decision to ease gambling rules to bolster vulnerable gamblers' protection.
Gold Mines of £2 Slot Machines
Providers are increasingly depending on £2 slot machines in their centers, which allow wagers of up to £2 per round. These machines bolster operators' income substantially, generating an average annual yield of more than £30,000 per machine [Link in English].
Presently, over 14,200 of these machines are operational in the UK, generating a combined annual revenue of £463 million. In addition to £2 slots, £1 slots also dominate gaming centers' offerings. Merkur, among other suppliers, pockets an overall annual profit of over £500 million via Adult Gaming Centres.
Gaming Vendors Leveraging the UK Gambling Law's Grey Area
Savvy providers are using an opening in the UK Gambling Act to install multiple £2 slot machines on tablets disguised as bingo terminals. These tablets are categorized as Category C machines, which are predominantly meant for £1 slots. This maneuver enables operators to operate as many allowed £2 slots as they like.
Dr. Matt Gaskell, a psychologist and the Clinical Lead of the Northern Gambling Service, expressed concern about the escalating number of Adult Gaming Centres, stating, “These arcades are designed for lengthy gaming sprees, which ultimately lead to harm. The proliferation of these venues on high streets is deeply troubling” [The Guardian].
Although public alarm escalates regarding the proliferation of Adult Gaming Centres, resistance typically fails. This is due to the "aim to permit" clause in British legislation, stipulating that authorities are obligated to approve Adult Gaming Centres as long as they adhere to existing UK gambling rules.
Gambling suppliers such as Merkur boast substantial financial muscle and robust legal resources, pushing licensing decisions in their favor. Recently, however, Merkur was penalized in the UK for violating responsible gambling regulations.
Local councils in the UK are often understaffed and have a hard time prevailing in licensing disputes. Even when deals are thwarted, suppliers resort to appeals and usually win in the second round.
Politicians in the UK are petitioning for a reform of gambling regulations to rein in the increasing number of Adult Gaming Centres. However, the UK Gambling Act has yet to see any substantial changes, paving the way for an expanding gambling realm and an increasing number of Adult Gaming Centres in the UK.
- What about the increasing trend in casino-and-gambling, particularly the rise of casino-games like slots in UK's Adult Gaming Centres?
- With the growing number of £2 slots, gambling-trends indicate that operators are capitalizing on the UK Gambling Act's grey area to boost their revenues, resulting in a flourishing casino-and-gambling industry in the UK.
