To what extent is cynicism regarding machine payouts and the fear of addiction to gambling preventing the growth in popularity of gaming machines?

Where are the most popular locations for the playing of gaming machines?

How will factors such as Sir Alan Budd's Gambling Review Body and a possible switch to the euro affect an industry so that is so heavily dominated by four players?

The gaming machines market is holding its collective breath, waiting to hear the government's decision in response to the Gaming Review Body's report and recommendations. Some of the suggestions in the report, such as limiting pubs to just two gaming machines and removing jackpot machines from private members clubs, would be highly detrimental to the industry.

To what extent is cynicism regarding machine payouts and the fear of addiction to gambling preventing the growth in popularity of gaming machines?

Where are the most popular locations for the playing of gaming machines?

How will factors such as Sir Alan Budd's Gambling Review Body and a possible switch to the euro affect an industry so that is so heavily dominated by four players?

The gaming machines market is holding its collective breath, waiting to hear the government's decision in response to the Gaming Review Body's report and recommendations. Some of the suggestions in the report, such as limiting pubs to just two gaming machines and removing jackpot machines from private members clubs, would be highly detrimental to the industry.

At the same time, technological advances are continuing to reshape the industry, both in terms of product and potential consumer target audience. However, and outdated restrictions of the old legislation, which is still in place, are severely limiting the market's ability to move forward and fulfil its true potential. The concern is that the new, replacement legislation may fail to deliver concessions where they are needed and may even make things more restrictive for the gaming machines industry. Hence, the next six months will be what is perhaps the most important period in the history of the industry and will set the course for its future.

This is the third time that Mintel has covered this market, the previous report being Gaming Machines, Leisure Intelligence, April 2000.

Other Mintel reports of relevance include:

- High Street Pubs and Bars, Leisure Intelligence, February 2002

- Betting Shops, Leisure Intelligence, July 2001

- Independent Pubs and Bars, Leisure Intelligence, June 2001

- Bingo, Leisure Intelligence, April 2001

- Themed Pubs and Bars, Leisure Intelligence, April 2001

- Casinos, Leisure Intelligence, January 2001.

and the forthcoming:

- In vs Out of Town Leisure, Leisure Intelligence, March 2002

- Multi-Leisure Parks, Leisure Intelligence, June 2002

- The National Lottery, Leisure Intelligence, August 2002

- Pub Visiting, Leisure Intelligence, August 2002

- Roadside Catering, Leisure Intelligence, September 2002

- Gambling, Special Report, October 2002

- Casinos, Leisure Intelligence, December 2002.