In a much-anticipated announcement, Gerry Sutcliffe, sports minister for the United Kingdom, said today that the number of £500 jackpot slot machines allowed in bingo halls should increase from four to eight.
In a statement to the House of Commons, Mr. Sutcliffe said the move is a one-off measure designed to help the bingo industry following the closure of 15 percent of the country's bingo halls over the past four years.
"Bingo clubs play a crucial role in many communities and we want to see that continue," Mr. Sutcliffe said. "For some people, especially older and retired women, bingo is their main leisure pursuit. It is therefore of great concern that nearly 100 bingo clubs have closed in the last four years."
He added that he was confident that the small increase would provide much needed help to the industry without posing a risk to public health.
The Department for Culture Media and Sport said today in a prepared statement that it will launch an immediate consultation on the proposal, which would affect England, Scotland and Wales.