UK councils back gaming probe

Leaders of UK counties expressed their support to the investigation on gaming activities.

UK.- British governors and members of the Gamblers Anonymous (GA) made public their support on new measures to control the gaming industry as to advertising, iGaming activities and reviewing of licensed machines. Political leaders from several cities, such as Preston, announced their support on limiting the gaming exposition on minors and compulsive addicts.

Coun John Swindell’s Preston Council’s cabinet member for planning and regulation, said they welcomed the news and commented: “If they take on board the concerns people have raised then hopefully it will make a difference.” Swindell also added that Preston authorities have introduced a petition to Legislators in order to reduce the stake per spin.

“I just hope it’s not one of those that get kicked into the long grass, but it’s a start. It can’t come quickly enough,” concluded the member of the Council’s cabinet. The civil association of Gamblers Anonymous have shown their agreement with the government’s recent decision of investigating the operation of gaming machines, such as slots, to control the activity of compulsive players.

GA has asked the government to reduce the maximum stake of £100 per spin in order to boost addicts’ treatments and control. As the organisation explains, local compulsive gamblers are losing full month’s wages in 20 minutes. “If there was a maximum amount like £5 or £10, then at least people would have time to have a think about it. Whereas once you get hooked on it and start losing, the addictive side says you’ve got to win this back and that’s where it has the knock-on effect,” described Compulsive gambler and GA member Terry Kilgariff. And he concluded: “Our scepticism suggests there’s a difference between reviewing it and doing something about it. But we certainly welcome the review.