Slough Councillors' Questions - 7 February 2006

 

 

Question 1

From:  Councillor Shabana Zeib

Do you agree with me that the presence of fruit machines within Slough Councillors' facilities, such as Slough Ice Arena and the Haymill Centre, is inappropriate given the large number of children who use these facilities and the difficulties involved in preventing underage use of fruit machines? If so shouldn't these machines be removed as soon as possible?

Reply: Councillor Sean Wright

Within the Ice Arena Slough Community Leisure Ltd operate 5 fruit machines with a minimum stake of 10p and a maximum jackpot payout of £5.00. The low level of winnings allow these to be placed in a general public area, similar to childrens amusement arcades across the country, and there are no legal restrictions to children using these machines. Therefore there is no legal requirement for these machines to be removed.

There is one fruit machine located at the Haymill Centre which has a maximum jackpot of £25. However this machine is not located in a general public area. It is located within the bar area which is only open to adults aged 18 and over. Therefore I do not believe that there is any requirement to remove this machine.

8 June 2006      contact