Gambling Act 2005 (Operating Licence Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2010

My Lords, as regards category B machines, I know that the noble Lord is concerned about undue delay. However, the review of these machines is bound to be controversial. The key issue for many stakeholders will be the high street bookmakers and their concern to protect a significant revenue stream. Parity with bookmakers is a serious issue. The casino sector is also seeking government intervention in relation to stake and prize levels for category B machines in existing casinos. Its chief concern is the impact of the current economic climate on its position. Unlike in the 2008 review of C and D machines, with its focus on seaside arcades, there is not the same economic case to justify our intervention to increase stake and prize levels for category B machines. Industry opinion is not uniform on this. Earlier, I freely acknowledged the strength of the bingo industry’s case, but that is not the case with regard to category B machines. Of course, that reflects the fact that the different sectors of the industry have different concerns. Community groups express anxieties in these areas, but not with regard to bingo halls. I hear what the noble Lord says on the matter. We are concerned about all sections of the industry that are going through difficult times. No doubt some in the industry can express the obvious case that it would improve their business position if we altered our position on category B machines, but there is not the same unity of position as is represented by the bingo halls. That is why I concentrated on bingo halls today. Motion agreed.