Gambling report recommendations would hit trade
MPs have hit out at proposals in the Gambling Review Body's report which would place a limit of two AWP machines on new on-licences.
A Commons debate this month saw MPs representing tourist areas opposing the plans, which they fear will cut machine income and hit many licensees hard. The report recommends that existing outlets are allowed to keep the machines they have, but new sites are restricted to two.
Launching the debate, Dr Stephen Ladyman, MP for South Thanet, said the plans would create a "blight on pubs and social clubs which will affect every constituency. As far as I can see, the report makes all those proposals without the slightest scrap of evidence that there is a gambling problem caused by the sector". Brian Cotter, MP for Weston-super-Mare, said: "The Licensed Victuallers Association has estimated that if the proposal were implemented, the effect in Weston-super-Mare would be a tremendous loss of staff and facilities in pubs."
The Gambling Review had argued that the restrictions were necessary because of the mix of alcohol and gambling and the fact children could enter pubs. But the trade has warned that many outlets count on machine income for as much as one-third of their revenue and may be forced to close if the recommendations are accepted.
Summing up the debate, Dr Ladyman said: "We are trying to encourage families to use pubs and other licensed premises. It is nonsense to suggest the presence of a gaming machine will have a corrupting influence. We do not assume that because children are allowed into pubs it will turn them into alcoholics, we take the opposite view - it will help them to understand social drinking. Why do we not take the same position on gambling?"
Minster Richard Caborn said the Government would take into account the views of MPs, as well as industry representations, when deciding which of the report's recommendations to implement.
The British Beer and Pub Association warned earlier this month that the proposals to restrict the number of AWP machines in pubs would cost the trade £43m a year.
Related stories:
AWP limits could lose industry £43m (8 November 2001)