Tesco have upset a local councillor in Scotland after introducing slot machines in a staff canteen.
Supermarket chain Tesco have been granted permission to install slot machines in a staff canteen in Dundee, Scotland, in a move described by one local councillor as “a big issue”.
Councillor Lesley Brennan slammed the decision to allow Tesco staff to install the two fruit slot machines.
Local newspaper the Courier reported that Cllr Brennan was upset that legal restrictions made it impossible for the council’s licensing board to stop the move.
Staff at the Tesco Extra store wanted the machines to raise cash for charity fundraising causes.
Cllr Brennan tried to get the council to block the move, but was informed that the measures at their disposal were too limited to impact on the supermarket’s move.
She said: “The grounds for objection relate to whether children have access to the machines and whether the applicant has had a previous gaming licence revoked.
“Obviously in this case none of these things apply as the venue is a supermarket staff canteen.
“A big issue with problem gambling is access to gambling opportunities, and I am concerned about this aspect with Tesco. Will there be any regulation or control over employees’ use of the machines?
“When I asked about what protection there would be for people who have a problem with their gambling, the Tesco representative said this would be a human resources issue for the company.
“I don’t really think this is the point, but the case sums up the inadequacy of gambling legislation and how the hands of the council are tied.”
The council want to control the number of betting offices allowed within their area. They also want the industry to be regulated and gambling advertising to be restricted.
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