BBPA claims raising machine prizes will help pubs

In its response to a Government consultation, which proposes an increase to a maximum £100 prize, the BBPA said that it would provide a vital income stream for pubs. The prize is currently £70.

The association added that, in particular, community pubs would see the most benefits because “machine income is very important for increasing business profitability”.

However, the BBPA does not believe that ‘player tracking’ is appropriate for pubs.

It said gaming machines in pubs are ancillary to the main purpose of the customer’s visit, namely eating and drinking.

It said: “Customers playing pub machines would be put off by having to enter their details, and machine income would decline.

“Gaming machines in pubs are ‘low stake and prize’ and very much part of the entertainment offered by pubs.”

The BBPA also wants to see the ‘triennial review system’, which was in place before the implementation of the Gambling Act 2005, reintroduced.

It said this will allow prizes to be “reviewed and adjusted on a more regular basis”.

BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: “Machines are a popular fixture in pubs, and a useful income stream. We warmly welcome Government plans to raise the prize to £100 — something that we have long called for. This will allow for innovation in games design, which is important for gaming machine manufacturing too.”