Seaside resorts will not be able to introduce high-stakes gambling machines of the kind proving to be a big draw in betting shops.

The plea fell on deaf ears in the House of Commons recently as Ministers voted the reject the proposal.

The gambling minister, Gerry Sutcliffe, did, however, bow to the rapid decline of bingo clubs by announcing they would be allowed to increase £1-stake/£500-prize gaming machines from four to eight per hall. The bingo industry had asked for an increase to 16.
 
With Gordon Brown opposed to the expansion of gambling, Sutcliffe said the expansion for bingo clubs was a one-off measure in the light of a 15% decline of bingo clubs in the past four years.

“Bingo clubs also play a crucial role in many communities, and we want to see that continue ... It is therefore of great concern that nearly 100 bingo clubs have closed in the last four years,” he said. “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.”

Sutcliffe disappointed seaside towns by saying he would bring forward only by a year a review of stakes and prizes for low-stake gaming machines, including the 50p-stake/£35-prize and 10p-stake/£5-prize fruit machines found in pubs, and seaside amusements such as penny falls and crane grabs.

But he flatly rejected a main demand of the adult arcade industry, to increase significantly the number of £1 stake/£500 or higher prize machines in arcades commonly found on high streets.

Liberal Democrat culture spokesman Don Foster condemned the response, saying: “The government has taken far too long to reveal its hand, only to come up with a pathetic response to the industry's troubles. With nearly 100 bingo clubs having closed since 2005, costing the exchequer over £150m, it seems bizarre that the government is not willing to do more to tackle this problem.”

Peter Bottomley, the Conservative MP for Worthing West, said seaside towns would not be helped by the decision, since it would add to the migration of high-stakes gambling to betting centres.