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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 24 October 2008

Arcade thwarted in bid to boost Vegas-style payouts

‘Loophole’ attempt to bring in more £500 jackpot machines

BOSSES of a gambling arcade in Holloway were accused this week of “taking the mickey” by trying to exploit a loophole in the law to increase the number of Vegas-style, big-payout machines.
The row blew up after an Islington licensing committee threw out a plan by Agora Amusements (Leisure World) to increase the number of £500-or-more jackpot machines from four to 12 at the old Nag’s Head pub in Holloway Road.
The firm wanted to divide the arcade into three units, allowing it to provide four big-payout machines per unit.
Lib Dem councillor Tracy Ismail, chairwoman of the licensing committee, said after Monday’s meeting: “Agora are going totally against the spirit of the Gambling Act. They just want to bypass the regulations on high-stakes slot machines.
“As these machines let people lose the most money in the shortest time, we felt that increasing the number threefold would be putting vulnerable people at more risk.”
Objectors turned up at the licensing committee to oppose Agora’s plans following a report in the Tribune last week.
Nigel Woodford, a film set carpenter, representing the headteacher, staff and parents of Grafton School, said the firm’s plans had “no benefits whatsoever for the community”.
A member of the committee, Labour councillor Barry Edwards, asked Agora why, if the government had stipulated only four machines per gaming room, the firm wanted 12. “Are you trying to circumnavigate the will of Parliament?” he added.
Representing the firm, Roger Etchells said Agora took its responsibilities seriously.
He added: “Ours is the most heavily regulated industry and we provide door and security staff at all times. Everything is monitored and we talk to vulnerable people and if necessary will exclude them.
“The plan to divide the centre into three happens regularly at centres all over the country. People want to play the bigger machines and we want to provide them.”
Lib Dem councillor Ursula Woolley, who represents Junction ward in Archway where there are plans to turn a shop into a gambling arcade, welcomed the committee’s decision.
She added: “These gambling companies are blatantly trying to exploit a loophole in the law to get around the rules. It’s bad enough that the Labour government’s gambling laws foisted these arcades onto our high streets. This new ruse is just going to make a bad situation worse.
“What’s the point in having so-called rules if there are easy loopholes for unscrupulous gambling companies to use?
Gambling bosses are just taking the mickey.”
She urged residents who oppose the Archway arcade plan to object to the licensing committee.
The committee felt the Holloway application was contrary to the spirit of the 2005 Gambling Act, pointing out that Parliament had set a limit on high-stake machines to protect vulnerable people.
A licensing decision on plans for Junction Road City Cash Casino in Archway is provisionally set for November 17.
Deadline for objections is October 31.

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