UK insists on problem gambling law

The UK government is reviewing a change to fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) to reduce problem gaming.

UK.- The Campaign for Fairer Gambling released a study that shows that the north and north-east have spent more than £114 million in fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs). In the last few years, the government has tried to regulate the sector to reduce the minimum bet but have faced opposition from investment companies.

According to the statement released this weekend, players in Aberdeen spent more than £63.5 million on the machines between 2008 and 2016. “Around £25million of this was estimated to be spent by problem gamblers,” explains the study. “In Aberdeenshire, the figure is £24.3 million, Highland £18 million, Moray £7.4 million and £1.1m in the Western Isles.”

Meanwhile, Alistair MacKinnon chief executive of the Fast Forward youth charity said: “We support the view that the most effective approach to reducing gambling-related harms is to take a range of actions, of which lowering the maximum bet on FOBTs would be one.”

However, last month the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) gave the government a margin to cut stakes on fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs). While some parties were asking for the maximum stake to be set at £2, the UKGC said that the number should be reduced from £100 to £30 or less. The commission also recommended that the stake on gambling machines, like fruit machines, should be limited to two pounds. The UKGC’s position was highly rejected by the government.