44. Memorandum from Isle of
Capri Casinos Inc (GMB 40)
We were recently sent a summary of the British
Casino Associations recommendations to the Scrutiny Committee
relating to the new gaming legislation. Although we do not have
any major disagreements regarding must of the comments we take
great exception to their comment in section 9.4 which states that
50% of the slot machines in the regional casinos should be class
"B" type machines.
The whole basis of bringing class "A"
machines to the UK is to create a new gaming product that has
proven to be a success in the United States and elsewhere around
the world. This, I am sure you realise, is the basis for the comparatively
large investments many of us anticipate making in the UK, and
frankly, based on our experience, the "B" machines will
not be successful in a regional casino.
In the submission the following statement is
made:
"This proposal would also recognise existing
practice in Las Vegas and other casinos, where the proportion
of machines operating with high stakes and prizes are a minority
of the total number, because many customers want the pleasure
of repeated play with small stakes, and frequent, small, wins."
I have been in the US gaming business over twenty
years, including having the responsibility of running two casinos
in Las Vegas. The above statement based on my experience does
not hold true.
We are pleased to be a member through our Blue
Chip subsidiary of the British Casino Association, and support
their efforts on the industry's behalf. However, in this case
I felt it necessary to go on record regarding this very impotent
issue.
The Isle of Capri Casinos Inc continues to support
the direction the Scrutiny Committee is going and we congratulate
you for all your efforts. If I can be of any help if the work
you do, please do not hesitate to contact me.
July 2004
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