Next week, the Hastings Borough Council is expected to take into consideration a bingo premises licence application filed by the high-street gambling chain Merkur Slots. The company is seeking to be allowed to establish a bingo venue at a former pawnbrokers’ site in Queens Road.
Currently, Merkur Slots, which also trades as the popular Cashino chain, is also seeking planning permission for the potential establishment of an Adult Gaming Centre (AGC) at the same location.
As it was revealed by local authorities, the Hastings Borough Council is to consider the application on October 14th. And while no members of the public have so far challenged the licensing application filed by Merkur Slots, the company’s proposals for the site have faced objections of the limited company East Kent Leasing Limited, which is linked to The Godden Gaming Organisation that operates White Rock-based Palace Amusements.
The competing gambling operator has argued that if the authorities hand Merkur Slots the bingo premises permit that it is seeking that would be inappropriate considering the fact that the main activity of the establishment would be associated with slot machines. Furthermore, East Kent Leasing Limited claims that an appropriate risk assessment of the area has not been carried out by Merkur Slots, with the latter never unveiling what measures it plans to impose in order to protect local residents.
Rival Operator Files Letter of Objection against Gambling Arcade Operating Licence Application
A letter of objection has been filed by East Kent Leasing Limited against the Merkur Slots projects for the premises, saying that the company was greatly concerned with the fact that the premises would be operated by a single company. Apart from that, the company finds Merkur Slots’ plans for the gambling premises to remain open 24/7 really disturbing. The company also noted that its competitor has not provided any conditions in relation to its application for the former pawnbrokers’ site in Queens Road
As mentioned above, East Kent Leasing Limited has shared its concern with the fact that Merkur Slots has not presented information on how it plans to protect children and vulnerable people from gambling-related harm or being exploited by gambling. The company said the objectors felt that it would have been impossible for such protections to be offered at periods of “single manning”.
Now, as a result of the application’s objection, the Hastings Borough Council is required to hold a public hearing before making a final decision on the application. The local Borough Council is expected to first hear each party’s arguments on the matter and then decide whether or not to grant the operating permit and, if so, whether to impose some additional conditions on Merkur Slots for the operation of the premises which have been proposed to host a 24-hour slot machine arcade or not.
- Author
Daniel Williams
