July 23, 2024 3 min read

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Around The Clock Slot Venues in the UK Raise Concerns About Gambling Harm

While charities and concerned residents warn about the negative impact of slot venues, industry stakeholders say such venues are among the safest to gamble

There are hundreds of slot machine venues across the UK that operate 24 hours a day. Supporters of the gambling sector say that such venues are an important part of the country’s nightlife, and the machines are regulated by the Gambling Commission, making the activity somewhat safer.

Yet, opponents of the gambling expansion as well as charities warn that the growth of the number of slot gambling venues operating around the clock raises concerns about gambling harm and addiction.

Merkur and Admiral are two recognizable operators of slot venues that have recently grown their presence across the country.

Despite the overhaul of the gambling industry and implementation of changes that seek to protect consumers from excessive gambling, there are more than 300 slot venues in the UK that operate around the clock.

Combined, Admiral and Merkur operate more than 500 such locations and an overwhelming majority of them are open 24 hours a day, a newly released report by the Guardian reveals.

The 24-hour slot machine venues’ expansion doesn’t come without opposition. During a meeting of the Greenwich Council planning committee last week, members discussed an application filed by Merkur for a new venue in Eltham. Overall, 60 residents voiced their concerns and filed objections against the creation of the venue.

During the meeting, a representative of law enforcement also expressed their concern about the negative impact of slot venues. The police officer cited police log data, revealing that some visitors of such venues were “criminally damaging gaming machines after losing money and in some instances threatening and/or assaulting staff.”

Slot Venues Expand under the Radar

According to Nick Harvey, a specialist with the leading charity Gambling with Lives, the expansion of around-the-clock slot establishments was completed “under the radar.”

Moreover, he explained: “Slots venues contain the most addictive gambling products out there, causing misery to communities while bringing little to no economic benefit to the local area.”

This negative impact is precisely why more anti-gambling groups support the restriction of the expansion of slot venues.

The Entertainment Venues Are among the Safest Places to Gamble

Despite the concerns, John Bollom, the British Amusement Catering Trade Association’s president, deemed the slot halls as “popular entertainment venues.”

He explained that such locations are “among the safest places to gamble.” Additionally, according to Bollom, the behavior of visitors of such venues is observed by employees who are trained to spot gambling harm and provide support when needed.

He said that the slot machines in such locations feature low stakes and are heavily regulated by the Gambling Commission. Finally, Bollom pointed out that slot venues are a “valued part” of high street entertainment and said that only a small portion of the population is affected by problem gambling.

Journalist

Jerome brings a wealth of journalistic experience within the iGaming sector. His interest in the industry began after graduating from college, where he regularly participated in local poker tournaments. This exposure led him to the growing popularity of online poker and casino rooms. Jerome now channels all the knowledge he's accrued to fuel his passion for journalism, providing our team with the latest scoops online.

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