Walsh bets Piccadilly Gala will close

2008-08-20 16:01:21

A combination of inside knowledge and recent hits to the industry has led one expert to bet that the Gala Coral Casino in Piccadilly will close.

Dominic Walsh stated in an article for the Times that representatives of the company had told him that closure was definitely a possibility.

Mr Walsh pointed to factors such as the smoking ban, the end of big-jackpot Section 21 machines and increasing taxes as adding to the likelihood that the venue will not survive.

In addition to this he stated that a "deteriorating consumer outlook" coupled with the opening of the Casino at the Empire in the same area may spell the end for the site.

Gala has already closed three of its casinos in Bristol, Glasgow and Nottingham in the past year.

Mr Walsh commented: “If I was betting man, I'd say its Piccadilly site was odds-on to close.”

Gala Coral Group is the third largest bookmaker in the UK and the largest bingo operator with over 175 clubs throughout the country.