The Bingo Association has called on its members to join in on a Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) consultation.

According to the industry body, those associated with the group should involve themselves in the debate surrounding the stake and prize levels of category C and D gaming machines.

This comes after the DCMS opened a formal consultation on these levels and suggested that the machines have stakes of 60p and prizes of £60.

Bingo Association representatives feel that, although they are happy this is higher than the present ratio, a further increase is necessary.

A statement on the organisation’s website said: “A marginal further increase on this figure would be very welcome and held by most members to be more appropriate in the current climate.”

Earlier this year, the government announced that it was permitting bingo clubs to apply for gaming licences that would allow them to install high-jackpot gaming machines on their premises.

This had been prohibited since last year’s Gambling Act amendments.