Back in January, Merkur Slots submitted an application to open a new adult gaming centre in downtown Ayr, and the said project has now been approved by the South Ayrshire Council’s Regulatory Panel. The centre will occupy a currently vacant lot situated in Ayr High Street, and it will be open 24 hours a day.
As reported by the Daily Record, the upcoming establishment was met with some criticism from locals, and seven objections were filed. William Hendren cited the fact that Ayr already has plenty of betting shops and a single adult gaming centre as one of the main reasons behind his objection to the opening of what will become Merkur Slots’ latest land-based establishment.
He did clarify that he enjoys gambling on the regular and that he takes care to not wager more than necessary. During previous visits to Ayr’s existing gambling businesses, however, he took note of how pensioners tended to frequent the currently operating gaming centre. According to Mr Hendren, elderly individuals wagered with money that they did not need to spend, and he added that he deemed it inappropriate for them to use their pensions for gambling.
Another potential issue, this time brought up by councillor Ian Cavana, is that of age verification. He questioned how the establishment’s staff would ensure patrons are of the appropriate age to gamble. According to the UK Gambling Commission’s regulations, adult gaming centres can only service patrons who are at least 18 years old.
Mr Cavana also expressed how “this is a very worrying time” for Scotland, as gambling has a strong foothold in television when it comes to advertising. He specifically drew attention to how “one in five” TV ads are related to gambling.
Merkur’s Response to the Complaints
Henry Hodgson, who serves as Merkur’s agent, addressed the aforementioned complaints, as well as other concerns. He first put an emphasis on how the new venue would have a positive impact on Ayr and its locals. He specifically drew attention to how it would serve as another establishment to provide employment to Ayr residents and how the other businesses in the area would benefit from the venue’s “generation of linked trips.” Other factors include the fact that a vacant space would be put to use and that Ayr’s evening economy would enjoy another revenue source.
Mr Hodgson further stressed that the venue, since it would be an adult gaming centre, would not include fixed odds betting terminals, nor would alcohol be sold to patrons. He claimed that stakes would also average out at between 30p and 40p. Potential concerns about noise are also unfounded, according to Mr Hodgson, as such centres cater to individuals and not groups. Councillor Martin Kilbride expressed his support for the project as well, deeming it good for a vacant building to be “brought back into use.”
As for the question of age verification, Mr Hodgson assured that identification would be mandatory for anyone who has not yet turned 25, a limit that exceeds the one outlined in the Gambling Commission’s licensing rules regarding adult gaming centres.
- Author
Daniel Williams
