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Regulatory threat to Gala and Mecca bingo halls9 March 2009LONDON, England -- As reported by The Guardian: "The bingo operators Gala and Mecca are in a regulatory face-off with the government and the Gambling Commission over the number of lucrative £500 slot machines allowed in their clubs. "Both operators have secured multiple licences for scores of bingo halls in order to boost the number of big-prize machines they are allowed to install. Their actions appear to circumvent limits set by the Gambling Act, which are designed to protect against problem gambling. "If the Gambling Commission closes this loophole it could threaten the future of many bingo halls and put hundreds out of work. The industry has already shrunk sharply "...Bingo operators were furious when the Gambling Act capped the number of big-prize slots at four per club "...The government ...last month doubled the limit on £500 slots to eight per club. However, both Gala and Mecca had for months been operating with eight machines or more in many of their clubs through the multiple licences loophole. They are now using new legislative limits to further expand the number of machines in clubs..." |