Responding to a report published today by GambleAware which shows
gambling operators are not giving staff suitable training in how
to promote safe gambling among customers, Cllr Simon Blackburn,
Chair of the Local Government Association’s Safer and Stronger
Communities Board, said:
“It’s encouraging that the gambling industry commissioned this
research and has taken an honest look at the shortcomings in its
work to promote responsible gambling.
“Promoting responsible gambling and supporting vulnerable
customers cannot simply be left to individual staff working in
premises who have not been properly trained, and who may be
managing premises single-handedly.
“As the report makes clear, measures promoting responsible
gambling to consumers need to be much more accessible and
impactful, and staff need proper training and support,
particularly to recognise signs of problem gambling and customers
who may be ‘chasing their losses’. The industry should take rapid
steps to address this because problem gambling can have a
devastating impact on personal debt, mental health and
family relationships, and lead to homelessness and crime and
disorder.
“This research also highlights the importance of the legal
regulatory framework in protecting players. On top of recent
fines issued by the Gambling Commission to gambling operators,
this is further evidence of the industry failing to protect
players and pursue socially responsible growth.
“The current review of gaming machines and social responsibility
is an opportunity for government to use the levers at its
disposal to strike a better balance. This is why we are urging
the Government to lower maximum stakes on fixed odds betting
terminals (FOBTs) to £2 in line with other gaming machines to
help protect those at risk of problem gambling from incurring
higher losses. It should also look at curbs on the volume of
gambling advertising, particularly where it is accessible by
children.
“Councils are not anti-bookies but a new cumulative impact
test would also give them the power to veto new betting shops –
and FOBTs - in places where there are already existing clusters.”
