SEASIDE amusement arcades could be driven out of business by the Gambling Act within six months, according to South Thanet MP Stephen Ladyman.

He has won an adjournment debate in the House of Commons today to discuss the impact of the legislation on small, family-run businesses.

Dr Ladyman believes the Act has had a number of unwanted consequences, and is driving people away from the traditional arcades.

He said: "What I want the Minister responsible to do is to recognise we have a problem and to carry out an urgent review.

"It's particularly important to us in Thanet and east Kent, because we're a seaside area and we have a number of seaside arcades.

"In addition to that, we have a number of companies that are involved in making and distributing the sort of machines which go into these venues.

"All of them are finding it a big struggle, and it's just a very unfortunate and entirely unintended consequence of the Gambling Act."

Dr Ladyman is concerned the payouts offered by seaside arcades are now less attractive than those offered by bookmakers on the high street, many of whom allow punters to gamble up to £100 a time.

He said: "People who enjoy a flutter on the machines have abandoned the seaside arcades, and have started going into the bookmakers to play instead.

"Of course, the business in the adult side of the arcade was very important in sustaining the family side of the arcade.

"This is about vital jobs and the traditions of the seaside. I very much hope that as a result of these debates we can look into what is happening in this industry."