MERKUR UK are ready and waiting: the company wants to invest in its venues, in its people and in its local communities. There’s no doubting MERKUR’s confidence in the quality and entertainment it can deliver. There’s less confidence, however, in whether the government can – or will – deliver on its promises. The delay in the Gambling Review has raised question marks: without clear and definitive direction on the review, it’s impossible to drive growth in the UK economy. Sascha Blodau tracks the Prime Minister’s statements on growth, and sees a parallel alignment between Starmer’s vision and that of the industry’s. So why are we still waiting? 

The delay to the Gambling Review which was caused by the snap general election is frustrating for a number of reasons. 

Firstly, the industry had come so far in what was a long and drawn-out process. Our trade bodies comprising Bacta, the Gambling Business Group and the Bingo Association played a pivotal role in presenting the then government with a raft of evidence in support of the long awaited modernisation of the rules and regulations governing land-based gaming.

It’s vital that the review is not forgotten, eclipsed by other priorities or subject to further delays. 

 In fact, the Prime Minister’s speech to introduce the International Investment Summit and the subsequent commentary and analysis chimes with large parts of the desired outcomes of the Gambling Review. 

For example, the Prime Minister highlighted the role of private sector investment in rebuilding the UK economy. 

MERKUR UK wants to be part of this investment program: we want to deliver steady growth with planned investments – but to do so we need to be clear what the future looks like.

Sir Keir Starmer said that a growing economy will result in more vibrant high streets and we couldn’t agree more. 

Over 90 percent of the high street venues that we have opened in the past three-years were previously boarded-up, economically inactive premises. Our refurbishment program contributes greatly to the look and feel of the high streets in which we operate and we are using local contractors and tradesmen for the works we carry out.

We purchase materials from UK suppliers whether it be bricks and mortar, fixtures and fittings or equipment such as coffee machines. 

Referencing the relationship between stability and growth the Prime Minister argued that whilst stability leads to growth, growth also leads to stability. 

This is a position that we fully understand and support. The industry needs stability and the fact that the White Paper has still not been delivered after four-years undermines the confidence and clarity that’s required to make investment decisions. 

Quite simply the more confident a business feels the more likely it is to make key commercial decisions. 

The low stake land-based gaming and amusement sector is not an insignificant part of the British economy. It pays an estimated £270 million in tax, contributes some £1.9 billion to UK GDP, operates more UK venues than Starbucks and employs more people than Greggs. 

This is not a small industry and MERKUR is ready to continue to invest in Britain, to create new jobs and contribute to the economies of towns and cities across the country.

However, we need to see the White Paper delivered. The less risk there is in a decision the easier it is to make. We need to see cashless payments and the revision of the 80/20 rule in place in order to move forward. 

If the government is serious about growing the economy the Gambling Review must form part of its ambitious plans.”