Rank fears two-tier gambling system in UK

One of the UK's largest gaming companies has reiterated its fear that the Gambling Act, which was passed by Parliament yesterday, would create a two-tier market.

Rank Group, which has 120 bingo clubs and 36 casinos, said it would continue to lobby for changes to UK gambling law so that it was operating under the same rules as new operators.

The company is upset that the act allows new small and large casinos to offer a greater number of gaming products than it can at its existing sites.

However, it endorsed amendments to the bill allowing existing casinos to double the maximum number of category B gaming machines to 20 in each casino. The maximum jackpot from these machines has also been increased to £4,000.

Rank Group also welcomed news that there would be just one supercasino allowed in the UK, probably in Blackpool.

Group chief executive Mike Smith said: "The act represents a much improved and more balanced framework than put forward at the end of December 2004."

The new act removes the 24-hour rule in casinos and bingo clubs, grants casinos the ability to advertise, removes statutory limits on stakes and bingo prizes and permits roll-over jackpots.

By Chris Druce

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