§ Mr. ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the increase in slot machine turnover from his decision to allow the £2 coin to be used as a stake. [18272]
§ Mr. George HowarthFollowing a recommendation from the Gaming Board, the maximum stake for a single game on gaming machines was increased from 25p to 30p from 1 October 1997. Larger coins can already be used for multiple play.
We do not have any estimates of the effect of the £2 coin on machine turnover. It is unlikely to be in use in amusement-with-prizes and jackpot gaming machines until next year.
§ Mr. ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many slot machines are currently operated on premises licensed to sell alcoholic beverages; and what estimate he has made of the total annual turnover of these machines. [18273]
§ Mr. George HowarthFigures kept centrally do not categories gaming machines by different types of premises.
The British Amusement Catering Trades Association (BACTA), the trade association representing the gaming machines industry, has recently undertaken a study in conjunction with the Henley Centre. This suggests that at the end of 1996 there were around 75,000 amusement-with-prizes machines (maximum prize £10) in public houses in Great Britain; 700 jackpot machines (maximum prize £250) in casinos; 31,300 jackpot machines in members clubs registered under the Gaming Act 1968; and 25,000 machines in bingo clubs, the majority with £10 prizes.
BACTA estimates that in 1996 the amount spent in public houses was about £2.6 billion, with 80 per cent. returned as prizes. Total gross turnover on machines in the above premises is estimated at approximately £5 billion, with about £4 billion paid back to the players.