24-hour gaming hall plan
PLANS for a 24-hour adult gaming, amusement and bingo centre at a former bookmakers are taking shape after councillors agreed to issue a licence for the premises.
Merkur Slots’ application for a bingo premises licence at the former Ladbrokes in Deane Road has been approved by Bolton council. But one local resident and business owner wrote to the council opposing the application.
Ilyas Raja, who lives and works in Deane Road, argued that gambling is ‘indirectly’ linked to crime which he said has become an issue in the area recently.
He said: “Over the last few years, there has been an increase in crime and dodgy characters hanging around the area especially in the back street of
Deane Road... I believe that having a gambling outlet in the area is something that attracts trouble as well as the issue of extra parking problems for businesses and retailers.”
Representing Cashino Gaming Ltd, Richard Bradley said there was no evidence of crime or disorder in the area.
The company, which will trade in Deane Road as Merkur Slots, has 163 operations across the country.
Mr Bradley told a licensing subcommittee meeting that none of the company’s premises have received any licence review applications.
He said: “It’s important to consider the model and the customer profile because a bingo premises is considered a lower stake premises than a betting premises.”
The proposed gambling establishment would be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and employ five fulltime members of staff, according to a planning statement. But Mr Bradley said that bingo can only operate until midnight, according to legislation.
Coun Cliff Morris told the company’s representatives that the licensing subcommittee agreed to grant the bingo premise licence. He said: “We wish you well with your enterprise.”