UKGC criticised over FOBTs stake limit

The Gambling Commission is getting criticised for saying the maximum stake allowed on FOBTs should be cut to £30 or less.

UK.- The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) is receiving negative feedback after the regulator gave the government a margin to cut stakes on fixed odd 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.

Shadow digital, culture, media and sport secretary Tom Watson said: “This is a deeply disappointing report from the Gambling Commission, who appear to have caved in to industry pressure. Gambling addiction treatment experts have identified that roulette-style FOBT games are highly addictive and the Gambling Commission accepts that they are the most used FOBT game in bookies’ shops across the country.”

Moreover, he said that the government must cut the stake to £2 on FOBT machines, “including the highly addictive roulette-style games, as well as increase the delay between each play.”

Neil McArthur, chief executive of the Gambling Commission, said: “In our judgment, a stake cut for fixed odds betting terminals alone doesn’t go far enough to protect vulnerable people. That is why we have recommended a stake cut plus a comprehensive package of other measures to protect consumers. We have proposed actions that will tackle both the risk of harm and provide solutions that are sustainable in the longer term.”