Glasgow Council leader pushes against FOBTs

Glasgow council leader Susan Aitken said the power to rule on FOBTs should be given to local authorities.

UK.- Fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) continue to be one of the main concerns to some UK districts, and Glasgow is no exception. In Scotland’s biggest city, council leader Susan Aitken has claimed the power to ban the controversial machines should be given to local authorities.

According to Ms Aitken, the council has limited powers to impose restrictions on the numbers of FOBTs. She also explained “there is cross-party agreement that we did want to have more powers here to take action” and added: “I would include the ability of local authorities to simply say no to these machines.”

The council leader even assured there’s evidence of a link between FOBTs usage and high-cost short-term loans. “I urge the UK Government to take on board evidence from Glasgow,” she stated and said: “The council has been calling on the government to reduce stakes since April 2014. My opinion is the Gambling Commission advice is the minimum that should be done. It should be driven down even further.”

The Gambling Commission has recommended that stakes on the machines should be reduced from £100 maximum to between £2 and £30.