Some interesting statistics have emerged from a publication from a Northern Ireland government department revealing the extent of the gambling industry in the country.
Northern Ireland is not covered by the UK Gambling Commission, falling under the Department for Communities.
The Gambling Licencing and Industry Data 2022 document, issued this month, shows that there were in 2022 119 amusement permits covering 5,901 gaming machines with a maximum £25 payout and 18 amusement permits covering 377 gaming machines with a maximum £8 payout.
The country also had 36 bingo club licences in force, plus 279 bookmakers’ shop licences. The industry employed 2,185 people and revenue totalled £67m in 2020-21 from turnover of £339.2m.
The report explains that the £8 payout machines represented the prize in cash, tokens exchangeable for a non-monetary prize, or a combination of both.
