From the editor.(recreation equipment industry and forecasts)(Editorial)

Another year, another ATEI. So what can we expect to see? I guess the only real answer is more of the same, and in recent times that means an abundance of Section 16/21 product.

Now there's no problem with that. The sector is booming and making good money for operators. And, despite the taxation changes in the mini-budget, there's no reason the money making shouldn't continue; but what about the AWP?

The operators of the single site AWP are going through hard times at the moment. Maybe the big boys in the industry can afford the hit, thanks to the sheer volume they control. But what about the smaller independents?

In this issue there are opinions on what is causing the problem (Company Focus p. 22) and a cause for optimism in the face of competition from other forms of gaming (Alberici interview p. 26). But I would like to warn of what I see as another problem.

Amid all the campaigns and complaints regarding the fact that we must wait for the next triennial review, and with it the incumbent stake and prize increase, I would suggest that this will make no difference when it comes to the fate of the single site AWE In fact, an increase in stake would, in my view, be detrimental to the industry.

What is needed is a radical rethink of the stake and prize levels in single sites, combined with a long hard look at the ...