The delayed reopening of adult gaming centres in the UK have dented the Gauselman Group’s confidence in its UK investment, says the head of the big German group.

PG

Paul Gauselmann has written a personal letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson pointing out that his company has invested nearly half a billion pounds in the UK, but questions whether the UK government’s decision to discriminate against AGCs in its reopening road map means that the company can continue to invest in the high street as it had planned.

He expressed "disappointment and regret" at the government’s reopening timetable that will result in AGCs being the only high street businesses not permitted to open in April.

The letter is the first occasion that Paul Gauselmann has written to a head of government on a point of policy in over 60 years of being a business leader.

Highlighting the decision that permits licensed betting offices to open on April 12 Paul Gauselmann argued that it “is not conducive to the principles of fair competition for which Great Britain traditionally stands.” 

Requesting a review of the decision, the letter sets out Gauselmann Group’s ongoing commitment to the UK which has seen it invest nearly half a billion pounds (£450m) employing over 2,000 people, making it one of the largest operators of high street adult gaming centres and bingo in the country.

The letter reads: “We are ready with optimism and financial strength to work with the government to support the recovery” confirming the business can reopen safely without creating any new risks of infection.

Focusing on the issue of unfair competition, Paul Gauselmann explained: “Our venues attract comparably small numbers of customers who do not stay for long. For this reason, we cannot understand the decision that permits betting shops to open even though they operate the same gaming machines. This puts us at a great competitive disadvantage and we fear a long-term loss of loyal customers as a result.”

Underlining the organisation’s commitment to social responsibility, the letter adds: “Our business has been audited by the Global Gambling Guidance Group against its international standard. Such a commitment provides a strong basis for our plans to invest in the UK and grow.

"However, I am very concerned about the stress this recent decision places on our business and whether we can continue to invest as we had planned. We appreciate the government has to make very difficult decisions, but cannot see why, in terms of infection protection, entirely unproblematic businesses should be prevented from opening.”