Gaming plans 'threaten arcades'

MP Henry Bellingham believes new gaming laws are too harsh

An MP claims new gambling laws being introduced in a bill currently going through Parliament are threatening amusement arcades at coastal resorts.

NW Norfolk MP Henry Bellingham plans to vote against the bill at its second reading in the House of Commons.

He believes the government has got it wrong by allowing huge Las Vegas-style casinos while increasing restrictions on small family-run arcades.

The new laws are unnecessarily harsh, he claims.

The tourist and leisure sector is very important to coastal areas of Norfolk and is characterised by small firms.

The MP said: "Many of the amusement arcades at resorts like Hunstanton, Cromer, Sheringham and even Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft in Suffolk are owned by family businesses.

"They are also run for the families who visit these resorts.

"But now they face substantial restrictions on prize levels and stricter controls, which are putting unnecessary burdens on them."