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Gambling ruling boost for Weymouth (From Thisisdorset)
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Gambling ruling boost for Weymouth
10:00am Tuesday 6th January 2009
NEW gambling regulations could breathe new life into Weymouth’s struggling gaming industry, an amusement arcade owner said today.
Plans set to be introduced by the Government, will allow slot machines in pubs, clubs and amusement arcades to offer prizes of up to £70, double the current limit, and the maximum stake will rise from 50p to £1.
As a seaside town, Weymouth has a strong concentration of amusement arcades, but the industry endured a difficult year in 2008, with poor summer weather and an economic downturn resulted in less people willing to take a flutter with their cash.
But David Fisher, manager of Harry’s Amusement Arcade on The Esplanade, believes the new regulations could help rejuvenate the under-pressure arcades.
He said: “It definitely will be welcomed. Things are very difficult right now as leisure money is something that is a very scarce commodity.
“The customers are not spending, we have never known a winter like it and that has been compounded by coming off the back of a very bad summer as well.”
Mr Fisher said the new rules will enable arcades to improve what they have to offer and attract more customers.
He said: “Certainly, on the prize machines they will give much better value for money and customers want a better quality of prizes.
“It’s going to give us the ability to offer the customers better entertainment. It will allow the industry to develop new machines, with new concepts and new features and bring a little bit more life back into the industry.”
Mr Fisher said it may take time for the new limits to come in as gambling laws mean new machines will have to be brought in, rather than upgrading existing machines.
He said: “The new prizes and stakes have been a long time coming and considering our major trade show is in two weeks it gives the industry little time to manufacture and test new machines.
“We are hoping to have new machines in place by Easter but we can’t make any promises as nothing has been tested yet.
“Hopefully, by the time they come in the economy is a little bit better and certainly in the summer season it’s going to help us.”
* WHILE amusement arcade owners have relished the prospect of raising jackpots and stakes in slot machines under new Government plans, the Salvation Army and the Methodist Church are warning about the dangers of this easily accessible form of gambling.
Methodist Superintendent for Weymouth, the Rev David Plumb said: “These machines prey on the vulnerable and people are spending money they cannot afford hoping to win back what they have lost.
“People will now get into greater debt which can lead to greater problems.
“With the economic climate as it is, there will be more and more people trying to take a chance with money they cannot actually afford.”
Leader of the Weymouth branch of the Salvation Army Granville Myers said he was wary of any increase in jackpots on slot machines as the organisation has tried to raise awareness about the danger of them in the past.
He said: “Regardless of the size of the jackpots we are concerned generally about these machines, which can be highly addictive.
“We have particular concern for children and younger people using the machines as they can get hooked on them.
“Research shows that people who get addicted at a young age can have bigger problems when they get older.”
* Have you beaten a gambling problem? Call the newsdesk on 01305 830999 or e-mail newsdesk@ dorsetecho.co.uk.
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Your Say YourDorset
Albo, Wyke Regis says...
10:40am Tue 6 Jan 09
You can NEVER beat a gambling problem, it's always there, always threatening to destroy your family life and any trust that your nearest and dearest have in you.
It's sad that there's no longer a Gamblers Anonymous meeting in Weymouth, which is exactly what will be needed once the fallout of this ridiculous decision becomes a reality. £1 maximum stake? You can blow twenty quid in less than a minute!
An hour's madness will wipe out all your rent, all your food money, and end your marriage. I speak from cold, hard reality - overcoming Gambling Addiction isn't just a case of "pulling yourself together, man" - as I'm sure some of the know-it-alls round here will say - it's a deep-lying mental condition that takes a lifetime to master.
Good luck to the arcade owners and the many people who can gambling freely without any problem. It's the hidden tragedy of gambling addicts - encouranged by a government that cares only for its slice of gambling taxes - that I feel for.
Echo Editors - you can quote me on that.
mikeman, Portland says...
10:54am Tue 6 Jan 09
stephen b., Weymouth says...
2:39pm Tue 6 Jan 09
maximus, Weymouth says...
3:47pm Tue 6 Jan 09
http://tinyurl.com/9
wf3rq
Wey-Dave, Weymouth says...
3:48am Wed 7 Jan 09
As for the other increase in prizes and stakes they are intended to give the customer better value for money, under the current law the maximum value of a “teddy” in a grabber or crane is very low, and the maximum price of play is 30p. Customers want “quality prizes” with brand names such as Disney.
Thants why the industry has asked for them,
Albo, Wyke Regis says...
9:36am Wed 7 Jan 09
stephen b., Weymouth says...
4:42pm Thu 8 Jan 09
Your sayYour Dorset
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CASHING IN: David Fisher, the manager of Harry's Amusement Arcade
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maximus, Weymouth says...
10:19am Tue 6 Jan 09