English MP pushes to establish FOBTs limit

MP Carolyn Harris said that she will continue to fight FOBTs to get the maximum stake reduction finally set.

UK.- The maximum stake on fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) will finally be reduced by 98 per cent from £100 to £2 over the next few years after a long crusade by anti-gambling groups. However, one Member of Parliament (MP) in the UK says she’s not satisfied as the change is set to happen only after 2020.

MP Carolyn Harris said that “getting the stake reduced seemed almost impossible in those early days (when she became an MP)” but said she was “delighted” when she heard about the stake reduction. “This will be life-changing, possibly even life-saving, for many gambling addicts up and down the country,” she added.

“Government ministers are saying they can reduce the stake only once they increase the duty on online gambling and that this could take up to two years. While I agree that online operators should be taxed more, this timescale is totally unacceptable,” Ms Harris said and added: “Myself and my colleagues from across the political spectrum have worked tirelessly to get this far (…) And we will not stop until the Government implements the changes they have promised.”