Maximum stake on bookies fixed-odds betting terminals cut to £2

A maximum stake of £2 on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals is to be introduced by the UK Government.

The terminals, commonly known as FOBTs can be found in many high street betting shops. Currently, you can bet up to £100 every 20 seconds the terminals.

However under new rules set to be introduced, the maximum stake will be reduced to £2 in a bid to minimise the risk of gambling-related harm.

The move follows a consultation with the public and the industry, the government says it wants to reduce the potential for large losses on FOBT machines and the risk of harm to both the player and wider communities.

Figures published by stopthefobts.org show that there are 57 FOBTs in 16 betting shops in Wrexham; with over £8m inserted into the machines locally in 2016.

The news has been welcomed by the Clwyd South MP, Susan Elan Jones, who has previously called for tighter regulations on FOBTs

The Clwyd South Labour MP, who is a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group for action on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals, has questioned Government Ministers in the House of Commons about gambling machines where £100 can be lost in a single stake. She also took part in the Government’s written consultation and called for a £2 maximum stake on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals.

Commenting on the announcement, Susan Elan Jones MP said: “There are some gambling machines that are putting people into thousands of pounds worth of debt. Gambling addiction is a real worry for some families and I think it is appalling how some betting companies have targeted poorer communities to put certain machines in.

“There’s a reason why Fixed Odds Betting Terminals are known as the ‘crack cocaine’ of gambling – with stories of addicts losing up to £16,000 in a day.

“Those of us who have campaigned on this issue include trade unions, MPs, charities, think tanks, businesses, churches and other faith groups and most of all, concerned members of the public, some with very harrowing family stories.

“I welcome the fact that the Government has now agreed that the maximum stake on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals should be reduced to £2.

“It is a pity they took quite this long to come to a decision, but each and every move is welcome if it means we do something to tackle the issue of problem gambling which causes difficulties and hardships for so many families.”

But today’s announcement has been met with concern by some bookmakers, who fear the move will result in store closures and job losses.

The Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) warned the move will be a “hammer blow” to High Street bookmakers and threaten thousands of jobs.

The ABB said a report which paved the way for the new £2 rules was “deeply flawed” and had been funded by commercial rivals of Britain’s bookmakers.

In addition to the reduction to FOBT stakes the government has today confirmed:

• The Gambling Commission will toughen up protections around online gambling including stronger age verification rules and proposals to require operators to set limits on consumers’ spending until affordability checks have been conducted.
• A major multi-million pound advertising campaign promoting responsible gambling, supported by industry and GambleAware, will be launched later this year.
• The Industry Group for Responsible Gambling (IGRG) has amended its code to ensure that a responsible gambling message will appear for the duration of all TV adverts.
• Public Health England will carry out a review of the evidence relating to the public health harms of gambling.
• As part of the next licence competition the age limit for playing National Lottery games will be reviewed, to take into accounts developments in the market and the risk of harm to young people.

In order to cover any negative impact on the public finances, and to protect funding for vital public services, this change will be linked to an increase in Remote Gaming Duty, paid by online gaming operators, at the relevant Budget.

Changes to the FOBT’s maximum limit will need parliamentary approval.