The managers of the bingo halls believe that this reduction could result in an increase in the prizes and incentives they can offer their clients. This drastic reaction is in response to the position taken by the Catalan government which, before the disconnection of the Supertoc last week, stated that it had reached deadlock in its negotiations with the bingo companies, whereas the latter declare that there had never been any negotiations. While the Catalan government is refusing to negotiate with the representatives of the bingo halls, the General Workers Union (UGT), the major union in the sector, is offering them its support. The companies in the bingo sector and the union are preparing joint actions.

The union, which describes the situation as critical, is convinced that the increase in prizes would help to slow down the reduction in takings and avoid the closure of halls and hence more job losses. Another problem highlighted by the managers in the sector, and which is awaiting a resolution by the Administration, is the annulment of the limit on the number of machines installed in the arcades in Catalonia, a regulation that leads to there being no limit on the number of licenses for amusement arcades. In this way, whereas the number of arcades has increased by almost 36% in the last 10 years, the number of bingo halls has decreased by 33% over the same period. Nor are such figures in the best interests of the Administration itself, since there is an enormous difference between the gaming taxes collected from the one to the other.

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