Responding to the Gambling White Paper, Emma McClarkin Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association said:
“This White Paper is a positive move towards ensuring parity and fairness between on and offline gaming and we look forward to working with the Government and other stakeholders to feed into the forthcoming consultation on the safe introduction of cashless payments to further this focus. The review of gaming machine technical standards is also welcome as it will help to develop innovative products and stem a decline in gaming machine income.
“It is however disappointing to see a rejection of an increase in the automatic entitlement for gaming machines in licensed premises. Gaming machine play in pubs tends to be low risk, with lower stakes and prizes, taking place in a public, relaxed social environment, and as a sector we are committed to ensuring the prevention of under-age play across the board.
“We look forward to working alongside our members to continue the promotion of safe and responsible gaming in pubs as well as engaging with the Government on upcoming consultations and reviews in this area.”
ENDS
For more information or to arrange an interview contact Jessie Powell at jpowell@beerandpub.com / 020 7627 9199
Notes to editors:
About the British Beer & Pub Association
The BBPA represents UK companies which between them brew over 90% of the beer sold in the UK and own 20,000 pubs.
Our members include international companies, national and local brewers and pub businesses operating managed and tenanted pubs in cities, towns and villages across the country.
These businesses are at the heart of communities and local economies and include family businesses who have been brewing beer and running pubs for hundreds of years alongside emerging brewers and pub operators.
- The UK’s beer and pub industry supports close to 940,000 jobs
- The industry adds £26.2billion to the UK’s economy each year
For more information or to arrange an interview contact Jessie Powell at jpowell@beerandpub.com / 020 7627 9199