FOBTs generate controversy in the UK

Future of fixed-odd betting terminals in the United Kingdom is still unclear after the elections.

UK.- Contradicted news about fixed-odd betting terminals generated great controversy in the United Kingdom. As residents expect the government to determine the future of gaming machines, political situation in the country has delayed the crackdown and further debate on the issue.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail newspaper released an article claiming British Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond would stop governmental crackdown on fixed-odd betting terminals’ operations. However, Tracey Crouch, Member of the Parliament and the Under Secretary of State for Sport denied the accusations.

Authorities have targeted fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) and gaming advertising. Latest probe has jeopardised millionaire revenues as well as tens of thousands of employees. The national idea is to limit gaming publicity and to reduce FOBTs maximum stakes from £100 to just £2 as the Gambling Commission published evidence that they could be harmful for players.

The newspaper claimed Hammond, however, was going to block the government’s attempt of regulating the sector. “The government is currently undertaking a review of stakes and prizes of gambling machines, that includes fixed odds betting terminals. The review will be published in the autumn,” told a spokesperson from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to the local newspaper Racing Post.