AWP income up after stakes and prizes increase

AWP operator Gamestec has seen a 13% increase in income since the new £1 stake and £70 prize limits were introduced a month ago.

Gamestec has installed more than 8,000 new £70 machines in around 4,000 locations since the switchover.

"The pub sector has been under pressure this year and the increase in income from gaming machines will make a real difference to the retailers, licensees and pub managers who host our machines," said managing director Chris Butler.

Over 20% of games currently being played are at the new £1 stake with the average stake of around 60p.

Gamestec's customers include Barracuda, Enterprise Inn, Greene King, JD Wetherspoon, Marstons, Mitchells & Butler, Punch Taverns and Town and City.

The rollout of the new machines should be complete by the end of July.

Several pubcos, including Punch, Charles Wells and Enterprise Inns, have promised reform of the AWP tie to give tenants a fairer share of the profits following the damning Business and Enterprise Committee report into pubco power.