A sharp rise in business crime combined with accelerating bank branch closures is creating new cash security challenges for Adult Gaming Centres, Bingo Clubs and Family Entertainment Centres. Loomis cautions operators to rethink traditional banking routines as intelligent cash management and Cash-in-Transit services become increasingly important.
Adult Gaming Centres, Bingo Clubs and Family Entertainment Centres are facing an escalating challenge as rising levels of business crime coincide with the continued decline of the UK’s high street banking network.
According to Nicky Severn, International Marketing Manager at Loomis the latest figures present a concerning picture. She confirmed: “According to official statistics police in England and Wales recorded more than 516,000 shop theft offences in the year to December 2024 = the highest level since current records began – while the British Retail Consortium estimates that retail theft now exceeds 20 million incidents annually. Violence and abuse directed at retail workers has also reached record levels, with more than 2,000 incidents reported every day, highlighting the increasing risks faced by consumer-facing businesses that handle cash.”
At the same time, Lloyds Banking Group has announced the closure of a further 79 bank branches, creating additional challenges for operators who are already travelling further to deposit their takings. Longer journeys, combined with cash remaining on premises for extended periods, inevitably increases exposure to theft while placing greater responsibility on businesses to safeguard both employees and cash.
Nicky Severn believes these developments are creating a significant operational challenge for cash-intensive leisure businesses. “Businesses that generate significant volumes of cash do not simply have the option of ‘going digital’,” she explained. “Even where non-cash payments are increasing, many gaming machines, redemption attractions and change services continue to generate substantial cash income.”
She believes the reduction in local banking facilities is forcing operators to rethink what are long-established cash handling routines: “With fewer local branches available, operators may find themselves spending more staff time travelling to deposit cash, holding larger volumes of cash on site for longer, with a concomitant uptick in the security risks associated with transporting cash. As branch networks continue to shrink, many operators are looking for ways to reduce their dependence on traditional banking routines.”
The combination of rising crime and reduced banking access is creating what many observers describe as a ‘double pressure’ on leisure businesses. Where operators were once able to deposit cash at a nearby branch at the end of each trading day, many are now storing larger sums on site for longer periods while employees travel greater distances carrying cash through public spaces or by car.
With a growing number of gaming and amusement venues operating into the evening, these risks can be particularly acute, making the reduction of accessible cash on site an increasingly important element of security planning.
Nicky Severn noted: “One solution attracting growing attention is the use of professional Cash-in-Transit (CIT) services. Rather than relying on employees to transport cash to a bank branch, trained security personnel collect cash directly from the business, reducing risk, providing predictable collection schedules and allowing staff to remain focused on looking after their customers rather than attending banking duties.
The Loomis SafePoint innovation represents an intelligent cash management solution that combines secure cash storage with automated cash processing. Instead of manually counting cash at the end of the day or leaving notes in tills, staff deposit banknotes directly into the SafePoint unit throughout trading hours. The system securely stores the cash while electronically recording every deposit, creating a comprehensive audit trail and providing real-time visibility of cash levels.
The technology helps reduce manual cash counting, minimise handling by staff, speed up reconciliation, improve accountability through automated recording and ensure excess cash remains securely locked away during the trading day. By removing the need for employees to transport cash to the bank, it also eliminates one of the most significant security risks faced by many operators.
While integrated cash management systems are often associated with larger organisations, they are becoming increasingly relevant for independent arcades, AGCs, seaside amusement centres and regional leisure businesses.
As local banking services continue to disappear, even modest reductions in staff time, administration and security risk can make a meaningful operational difference.
When reviewing their cash handling procedures, Nicky Severn urges operators to consider practical issues such as how much staff time is spent banking cash each week, how far the nearest remaining branch is located, how much cash is routinely held on site and whether employees could be more effectively redeployed into customer-facing roles instead of making bank runs. They should also assess whether automated cash handling could improve accuracy, accountability and overall security.
“For the amusement and leisure sector, cash remains an essential part of day-to-day operations despite the growth of digital payments” added Severn. “However, as bank branches continue to close and business crime remains at historically high levels, many operators are reassessing whether traditional cash handling methods remain fit for purpose.
“Solutions such as professional Cash-in-Transit services and intelligent cash management technology offer businesses an opportunity to reduce their exposure to crime, improve operational efficiency and spend less time managing banking logistics, in the process allowing them to focus on delivering the best possible customer experience.”
Cash is king
“Businesses that generate significant volumes of cash do not simply have the option of ‘going digital’. Even where non-cash payments are increasing, many gaming machines, redemption attractions and change services continue to generate substantial cash income…” Nicky Severn
Originally published on Coinslot on August 3, 2026. Republished with permission.