Joint Committee on the Draft Gambling Bill First Report


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


 
previous page contents next page

House of Lords home page Parliament home page House of Commons home page search page enquiries index

© Parliamentary copyright 2004
Prepared 25 March 2004