Call to action - Clubs could face increased costs and lost revenues

To view this email online, 

The Sports Club Bulletin.
The Sports Club Bulletin.

Club Consultation - Act now. Use it or lose it

Letter to Gambling Commission - Join in 



Sean Ferris, Club Mirror,

Link Spaces Botanica,

Ditton Park,

Datchet SL3 9LL

Tel: 07789 870709 E-mail: sean@clubmirror.com

www.clubmirror.com

Graham Burgin

Policy Team

Gambling Commission

4th Floor

Victoria Square House

Birmingham

B2 4BP 19 May, 2025



Dear Mr Burgin,


Consultation on Category B4/B3A Gaming Machines


I write to you as an avid fan, member, supporter and a company involved in the club sector - clubmirror.com (working for over 55 years in the UK Club Sector), the Club Awards (now in their 33rd Year) as well as well as being involved in clubfootball.org.uk, clubrugby.org.uk, clubcricket.org.uk and clubhouseeurope.com – broadly speaking, grass roots sports, social and community clubs. This represents over 100,000 clubs in the UK who could be impacted by the proposals.


We work closely with the Club and Institute Union (CIU) and the Association of Conservative Clubs and all the major Club Associations within CORCA - Committee of Registered Clubs Associations. In addition we work with Sports Clubs Associations and governing bodies. Finally we also work closely with the Club Section of CAMRA, notably as part of our Club Awards.


The Association of Conservative Clubs and the CIU have already written to you with their concerns regarding this consultation and we echo those emphatically.


The backbone of all of this, perhaps, is the fact that pubs have been excluded from these proposals. Clubs are similar types of venues, yet with the even bigger advantage of self-regulation. Passers-by can’t just walk in off the street to play machines as they can in pubs.


The UK’s clubs are at the heart of everything that we do and we are an integral part of the rich fabric of clubs across the country. We believe that the proposals outlined by the Gambling Commission will have serious implications for member clubs (as outlined in the attachment) from sports clubs and community clubs through to political and social clubs and everything in between.


With best regards and sincere hopes for a positive outcome for clubs and their millions of members who value the sports, community and camaraderie afforded to them by this totally unique and treasured sector.


Yours sincerely,


Sean Ferris


Sean Ferris

Managing Director, Club Mirror

image.

Clubs urged to act on consultation

The Gambling Commission has made proposals regarding use of gaming machines in all UK clubs. If implemented there will be major cost and staff implications for all Sports Clubs with Category B4 and B3A machines.  

Read more - act now
image.

Key proposals include ...

· Players to set time and spend limits 

· Clubs to install a system when that limit is reached. Staff must then intervene, acting ‘appropriately and in a timely manner’

·  Older digital machines and analogue reel-based machines will be scrapped.


Chris Haley, Dransfields Managing Director 

“We believe that clubs should be exempt from these proposals, particularly as there is no evidence of significant problem gambling taking place in clubs.”

Click here for full details
image.

Consultation questions include...

   Q. To what extent do you agree that Clubs already provide a stronger safety net for Members using gambling machines than Pubs which are excluded from the proposed requirements? 

   Q. Should Category B4 and B3(A) machines in private members clubs be exempt from all these proposals?

Full questions at this link
image.

How to respond 

Online - respond  at this link 

In writing  - Mr G Burgin, Gambling Commission, Victoria Square House, Victoria Square, Birmingham B2 4BP

Send a copy of your response to Minister for Gambling, Baroness Twycross and your MP

Respond online at this link
image.

Any questions? We're here

From sports clubs to social clubs, Private Members Clubs must make their voices heard to see clubs excluded from these proposed restrictions. Clubs have unique control on all things gambling by nature of membership in a way outlets open to the general public cannot.

sean@clubmirror.com
image.

Any questions? Contact us via

Email:        sean@clubmirror.com
Phone:       (+44) 77898 70709
Website: www.clubmirror.com
Twitter:   www.twitter.com/clubmirrormag

Insta:     www.instagram.com/clubmirrormag 
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/clubmirroruk


sean@clubmirror.com

Email:        sean@clubmirror.com
Phone:       (+44) 77898 70709

The Club Bulletin.

Sports Club Bulletin, ACP Link Spaces, Botanica Ditton Park, Riding Court Road, SL3 9LL

 


 
This message was sent to using NewZapp. Follow this link to .
POWERED BY
NewZapp Communications