Dransfields group chair Chris Haley has painted a stark picture of what could befall Britain’s social clubs if the government decides to increase MGD, noting how important machine revenue is for subsidising important community activities, which are of “critical importance to hundreds of thousands of their members.”
The group chair of Dransfields has called on the government to redress misconceptions about the role of gaming machines in social clubs, highlighting how important machine revenue is in supporting vital community work undertaken by these venues.
Speaking to the Amusement Network, Chris Haley said “clubs are not places that people go to gamble,” with fewer than 15 percent taking up their full entitlement of three machines, as concerns mount that the Chancellor could be considering a blanket increase in MGD.
“Social clubs sit at the heart of their local communities, providing so much more than beer and bingo,” said Haley. “The income from their machines, pool tables and jukeboxes, in a nutshell, helps to keep the lights on.”
“The gaming machine income is therefore a critical source of revenue that helps to cross-subsidise their community activities. Older people in particular rely on clubs for social interaction and the loss of a club can be devastating in a local community.”
Noting the government’s current anti-AGC rhetoric, Healey expressed his belief that ministers do know the fundamental difference between social clubs and commercial gambling venues, but added “I think they have just ‘overlooked’ clubs, which happens time and again unfortunately.”
“I would take the Chancellor to a social club and let him ask the stressed-out, hardworking voluntary secretary who is busy organising the bar delivery, the bingo, a pensioners’ party, a repair to the club roof and negotiating with his utility supplier to tell him what he is missing from his understanding of the importance of social clubs.”
“No doubt a few members would chip in with their thoughts as well!”
The heart and soul of the community
Chris Haley said… “I would take the Chancellor to a social club and let him ask the stressed-out, hardworking voluntary secretary who is busy organising the bar delivery, the bingo, a pensioners’ party, a repair to the club roof and negotiating with his utility supplier to tell him what he is missing from his understanding of the importance of social clubs…
