Bingo! For Industries Slot Machines

by Hollie Sanders

Finally we have a decision from the UK Government regarding slot machines in bingo halls. They have handed a much needed lifeline to the industry in a complete U-turn on the amount of ₤500 jackpot slots allowed in bingo halls. Heaven knows there has been enough lobbying for this to take place. I don’t know if you remember, but in March Gerry Sutcliffe announced to the Bingo Association that something was going to be done, and this has been along time coming. Last September the amount was reduced to a total of four high paying jackpot machines with a stake of ₤1 each. As the industry was already staggering from the effects of VAT and the new non-smoking laws, this seemed to be the straw that broke the camels back for many bingo clubs.

Nearly 100 UK bingo clubs have closed in the last four years and this is becoming worse by the day. Mr. Sutcliffe has now announced that the amount of ₤500 jackpot machines has been doubled to eight per club and the decision marks the end of a long wait, however the wait is not over yet, this still has to be implemented, and goodness knows how long this is going to take. But all is not lost as yet as you are still able to play online bingo and they have many high stakes slots to tide you over the times between your favorite games of bingo, so far the Government does not have a grip over online gaming.

Apparently Mr. Sutclffe is also planning a review of the amount of low stake slot machines in bingo halls and they are hoping to have everything in place by the end of the year. I suppose that we shall just have to adopt our wait and see attitude in the meantime.