Responding to the Government’s announcement that maximum
stakes on fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) could be reduced
from £100 to £2 as part of a review,Cllr
Simon Blackburn, Chair of the Local Government Association’s
Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said:
“It's extremely positive that government is committed to the
review and looks set to substantially reduce FOBT stakes, but we
are pushing for the final outcome to be £2, which is what the LGA
has long-called for, to help protect vulnerable people from harm.
“Not only are £100 maximum stakes significantly out of line with
maximum amount that can be waged on other gaming machines, but
there is credible evidence that these machines may be
particularly addictive and can harm vulnerable players – for
example, through spiralling debt - as well as being linked to
anti-social behaviour and crime in betting shops.
“However, regulating gaming machines is about more than just
stakes, and we urge government to give councils powers to
prevent the opening of new betting shops in areas where there are
already multiple premises. A new cumulative
impact test would give councils the power to veto new bookmakers’
in areas already saturated by betting shops.
“Government also needs to look at curbs on the volume of gambling
advertising, particularly where it is accessible by children.
“Councils are not anti-gambling but a greater balance is needed
between commercial freedom and the impact on local communities.”
