Secretary of the Haslemere and District Comrades Club Gwyn Williams says moves to ban gaming machines with a maximum payout of £250 could force the club into extinction. In a letter sent to a number of MPs, Mr Williams says that the club relies on the revenue generated by the machines - an estimated £45,000 a year - to survive.
Mrs Bottomley has now taken up their cause, writing to Minister for Sport Richard Caborn in protest at the proposed change.
She said: ÒI have had a stream of letters from many worried constituents about the review, which would threaten numerous private clubs. Many use money from the machines for good works and charitable donations.Ó
The proposal comes amid government fears that too many under age people are able to use fruit machines.
Mrs Bottomley said that this is ÒludicrousÓ, because children are not able to get access them.
Mr Kennedy says the proposals are Òill conceived and unfairÓ.
ÒGiven the reliance of many clubs on the income jackpot machines provide it would be rash for the government to proceed to take the advice of the gambling review reportÕs committee, and enforce them for private clubs,Ó he said.
The sports minister says that this proposal is just one of 176 being considered from an independent review on all legislation on gambling, which is now more than 30 years old. Mr Caborn added: ÒWe must plainly consider very carefully the impact that a change of this sort might have on clubs and we have not as yet reached any decisions about it.Ó
ÒWhen we published the gambling reviewÕs report in July we launched a period of public consultation, and this lasts until the end of October,Ó he concluded.
Mr Williams told The Herald that the Haslemere High Street clubÕs 500 members have a deep sense of loyalty, and want to see it run properly.
ÒWeÕre not here to make waves,Ó he said. ÒWeÕve been here for over 100 years and the club has its place. It is somewhere where members can come and have a chat, read the paper, watch TV.Ó
ÒIf this club is not here, where do we go?Ó