The UKGC (United Kingdom Gambling Commission) which oversees all gambling activities in the UK, recently paid a visit to the Merkur Bingo Northampton.
The former Beacon Bingo venue was visited by the UKGC Director of Communications, Lucy Denton, and Executive Director, Tim Miller, who also visited the Aspers land-based Casino in the area.
The visit comes as bingo halls are closing up and down the country. Rank Group (LON: RNK)-owned Mecca Bingo closed seven bingo halls on Sunday, February 26th. A number of independent retail bingo outlets have also closed as the cost of living crisis continues to hurt customers whilst soaring energy costs have severely impacted clubs’ breakeven points.
Understanding the Challenges Better
A post on the UKGC LinkedIn page said the visits to the two sites gave them:
“The welcome opportunity to better understand the challenges of land-based casinos and bingo halls. It also helped build on our cooperation with operators and listen to how the industry trades and stays compliant.”
UKGC Director of Communications, Lucy Denton, said of the visits:
“It was really insightful to speak to operators about how they are adapting to the challenges of post-covid life as well as the cost-of-living crisis. It is important we take the time to speak directly, and informally, with the industry so we can make sound decisions in what we do and how we do it.”
The visits will be welcome by the land-based industry as criticism has been levelled at the UKGC for their lack of exposure to real world gambling experiences.
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