Please
e-mail any comments you may have to:
glennrma@msn.com
"Providing professional leadership in Club Management..."
One of the recommendations of the Review Board is that jackpot gaming machines should be removed from both Registered and Proprietary Clubs. Clubs would only then be allowed to use the machines that are currently installed in Public Houses that have small £12 - £15 Jackpots.
This change would mean that most clubs would be severely affected in terms of cash income, as there would be little incentive for members to play the smaller jackpot machines. A number of Clubs would seriously have to consider whether their Club would remain viable in view of such a draconian measure.
The public consultation period on the Review ended on 31st October 2001 and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport headed by Mr. Kim Howells, Rt. Honourable Richard Cabborn MP Minister for Sport and Rt. Honourable Tessa Jowell Secretary of State are now "evaluating and analysing responses" before the recommendations are taken forward.
A number of Clubs have independently lobbied their local MPs in the interim period and have received much support.
In an article in the Club Mirror Nov 2001 the following extract was noted:
"…… there has been more encouraging news concerning the Budd Report. It seems a number of MPs have picked up on the club sector's plight and are helping to generate a groundswell of support for the club machine cause. Two EDMs (early day motions) have been put down in the House of Commons expressing concern over proposals by Sir Alan Budd and the Gambling Review Body to scrap the operation of jackpot machines in members' clubs……….."
Mel Johnson, Executive Officer on behalf of the Committee of the Recreation Managers Association of Great Britain has already sent a letter to the parties listed below:
It is imperative that all Clubs should pass their comments forward to the following persons, if you have not already done so. Your letter could make the difference.
| Right Honourable Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London SW1 5DH |
Right Honourable Richard Cabborn, Minister for Sport, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London SW1 5DH |
| Mr. Kim Howells, Department of Culture, Media & Sports, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London SW1 5DH |
And of course your Local MP |
IT IS NOT TOO LATE FOR CLUBS AND INTERESTED PARTIES TO RESPOND.
For more information on the Gambling Review Board www.gamblingreview.gov.uk
Or contact Paul Lovell, Finance Officer for the Recreation Managers Association
of GB via email paulove@msn.com or by
phone (01375 - 672083 Shell Club Corringham Limited).