In the United Kingdom, politicians have decided to make sweeping changes to the local gaming machine industry. To promote growth in the casino market, they have decided to increase the stakes and prizes for all poker machines that are located in casinos across the country.
“The government recognises that access to higher stake and prize gaming machines can support socially responsible growth in the casino sector,” reads the report. The decision was the result of a national consultation on the poker machine market.
Over 9000 submissions were made, as local residents voiced their opinions about gaming machine regulations in the United Kingdom. 63% of submissions stated that the government should reject proposals that would maintain the current stake and prize limits for all gaming machines.
74% stated that keeping the current limits would discourage growth. 50% of respondents agreed that it would best benefit the gaming market if prizes and stakes were increased. 20% disagreed and 16% were undecided. Many respondents recognized that increased prizes and stakes would boost the casino industry but were concerned about the potential negative impacts on society.
After reviewing all submissions, the UK government decided to raise the minimum stake from £2 to £5 in casino poker machines. The current prize limit is £4000, and politicians were unsure whether to raise the amount to £7000, £10 000 or £15 000. Respondents supported the increase to £10 000. While £15 000 was preferable to players, industry professionals feared that it would not be cost effective for their operations.
The maximum limit for linked progressive jackpots was raised to £50 000. While casinos are considered appropriate venues for higher stakes of gaming machines, responsible gambling groups are concerned about other venues. They have proposed that pokie clubs and betting shops should reduce their stakes and prizes to help reduce potential harm in venues that are less suited for high-stakes gambling.
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