Memorandum from Castle Leisure (DGB 184)
COMPETITION ASSESSMENT
EFFECTS OF
THE GAMBLING
BILL ON
LICENSED BINGO
In our joint submission with Carlton Clubs PLC
to the Joint Scrutiny Committee dated 8 December 2003, we stated
that the Government had failed to follow its own guidelines in
preparing the RIA on Bingo.
The competition filter test and subsequent detailed
competition assessment had not been completed and included in
the RIA.
This was a serious error and meant that your
committee did not have the benefit of this crucial assessment
in evaluating the full and real competition impacts for bingo
of the proposals.
We understand that the book has been closed
for receipt of evidence by your committee, still without you having
benefit of this competition assessment.
DCMS have been progressing the assessment and
we have commented upon the third draft which raises very significant
issues regarding the effects of the Gambling Bill on Licensed
Bingo.
This regards the proposal to allow bingo to
be played in casinos and on the potential adverse effects on the
National Bingo Game.
Carlton Clubs PLC, The Cambos Organisation and
ourselves, being the three leading independent bingo operators
are content for this third draft to be published.
We strongly urge your committee and yourself
to review the detailed competition assessment for bingo prior
to finalising your recommendations to Parliament.
March 2004
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