Listen to this article:A new adult gaming venue operating around the clock could soon open its doors in Bolton’s town centre.
Merkur Slots, a German-based gaming company that operates a number of venues on UK high streets, has submitted plans to launch a “high street adult gaming centre” on Newport Street. If approved, the bingo venue in Bolton would operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The proposed location is a long-vacant retail space that once housed Bonmarche. The company has said that if it is granted planning permission for a change of use, the venue would create up to 12 full-time jobs.
In documents supporting their application, Merkur said that the site would offer visitors electronic bingo tablets and that it would contribute positively to the vitality of the local high street.
An information brochure released by Merkur’s explained:
“Over 90 per cent of new MerkurSlots venues occupy former vacant units and provide investment from £100,000 to £250,000 in long-standing vacant venues. It would provide Increased footfall to the high street and we provide an important natural surveillance, particularly late into the evenings.”
Merkur added that their main customers after midnight include local entertainment and shift workers looking to relax after hours. They further said that the gaming machines create minimal noise, stating, “we do not have public address systems that you find in seaside amusement centres,” and that only soft background music is played.
The company also addressed common misconceptions about its operations, stating that adult gaming centres are “often, unfortunately, put into the same category as betting shops.” The information brochure clarified:
“Public concerns surrounding betting shops were largely due to the presence of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs). Our venues do not operate these types of machines. Our machines offer low stakes ranging from 10p to a maximum of £2. These machines have been around for many, many years. Our centres are where people come to spend their spare change, have a game of bingo and enjoy their favourite pastime in convenient locations.”
Merkur Slots has been steadily increasing its UK presence in recent years. The company has opened venues in cities including Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham, and will often refurbish vacant units so that its centres contribute to local regeneration. Merkur said that each site typically represents a six-figure investment and creates new employment opportunities in areas that may be struggling with high street vacancies and reduced footfall.
Buzz Bingo’s acquisition of two Merkur venues is an exception to this tendency, highlighting a shift in which larger bingo operators see value in repurposing existing adult gaming centres rather than competing with them.
However, the rapid spread of adult gaming centres has prompted a great deal of debate about the social impact of the venues. Critics argue that they disproportionately appear in lower-income communities, where residents may be more vulnerable to gambling-related harm. Supporters, however, claim that with proper regulation and community oversight, adult gaming centres can provide a safe and enjoyable leisure option.
Many people assume that a 24/7 adult gaming venue in Bolton may cause a rise in crime in the area. However, as part of the planning submission, Merkur Gaming had a crime impact assessment carried out by a security consultant working with Greater Manchester Police. The report noted:
“The proposed development will bring additional activity to Newport Street during the day and in the evening, deterring criminals and those antisocially minded from operating in the area. The re-use of the property is welcomed. Properties that remain vacant for some months are often targeted by thieves and vandals. The resulting visible signs of decay can attract further abuse, which is then likely to affect the neighbouring and nearby properties.”
The assessment also recommended safety measures including a secure cash office, CCTV systems, controlled staff access, and panic alarms.
Bolton Council is expected to review and decide on the change of use application in the coming weeks. Public comments can still be submitted to the council’s planning portal while the application remains under consideration.
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