LGA responds to Gambling Commission report on FOBTS

Responding to the Gambling Commission’s report on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals, Cllr Simon Blackburn, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said:

“Councils have consistently raised concerns about the number of high stakes FOBTs and betting shops on our high streets, and the impact these have on individuals and communities.

“Someone playing on a machine can lose £100 in a matter of seconds in a single play on an FOBT. This is money many people can’t afford to lose, which is why we have called for these stakes to be reduced to £2 in our submissions to the Government’s review.  

“The Gambling Commission’s advice is clear – maximum stakes should not exceed £30, but we would encourage the Government to go further and implement the maximum possible reduction to £2, alongside other protection measures outlined by the commission. 

 
“The higher stakes permitted on FOBTs is significantly out of line with other high street gambling machines and the harm and anti-social behaviour they can cause has become an issue of growing national concern. It’s essential the Government commits to taking the strongest possible measures to address these concerns.”