We see it happening across the country and it’s a practice which is understandable. Gambling operators split their premises to install more gaming machines and everyone is happy – well almost everyone.
The Gambling Commission are due to flex their muscles again as they believe the money making method should be ceased.
They will decide whether the practice is in breach of the Gambling Act and consultation into the issue ends later this week. Local authorities which oppose betting firms exploiting a licencing loophole have said they fear costly legal challenges if they clamp down on gambling firms.
A stand off of sorts then can be expected and many watching from the sidelines wonder if the Gambling Commission would be better off leaving well alone unless they receive complaints from the public regarding specific venues in Britain.
Bingo firms like Rank have set up 'adult gaming centres' within bingo halls, while Gala Coral has split some of its halls.
The motivation for this came in the wake of the smoking ban which saw numbers attending bingo halls plummet as customers either stopped playing or switched to online bingo sites.
Gaming machines are profitable with single machines offering large jackpots but some statisticians say they can lead to addiction.
Any move to restrict the prevalence of gaming machines in operation across the country could go down like a lead balloon with the Treasury who have made a massive amount of money off the back of these games. And in the current economic climate could they really afford to look a gift horse in the mouth?
The row comes as the British Gambling Prevalence Survey shows a link between problem gambling and areas of urban deprivation. Research is underway to establish whether there is a correlation between the density of betting shops in inner city areas and crime and drug abuse.
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