Maximum stake to be cut on fixed-odds betting terminals
The Government is to cut the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) - known as the crack cocaine of gambling - from £100 to between £50 and £2.
The high-stake, high-speed electronic casino games are said to be dangerously addictive and currently allow a stake of up to £100 every 20 seconds, allowing a player to theoretically gamble away £18,000 an hour.
.@tracey_crouch launches consultation to reduce maximum FOBT stake from £100 to better protect consumers https://t.co/qbNGZaxjuDpic.twitter.com/FksrYGzP8Q
-- DCMS (@DCMS) October 31, 2017
Government to take action on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals #FOBTshttps://t.co/jTo6cZkAPM
-- Anne-Marie Trevelyan (@annietrev) October 31, 2017
The announcement is part of a package of measures announced in the Government's gambling review.
Culture minister Tracey Crouch said: "It is vital that we strike the right balance between socially-responsible growth and protecting the most vulnerable, including children, from gambling-related harm."
Raising standards of player protection for online gambling, a responsible gambling campaign and new advertising guidelines are among a raft of suggestions designed to help minimise the risk to vulnerable people and children.
Action on Fixed Odds Betting machines is needed but it should be a total ban! @BBCr4today
-- Barry Sheerman (@BarrySheerman) October 31, 2017
Let's hope UK Govt has guts to reduce FOBT max bet to £2. Any dilution of that is win for venal betting companies
-- Jenny Rathbone AM (@JennyRathbone) October 31, 2017
Strengthening the code on responsible gambling advertising and responsible gambling initiatives are also being considered.
A 12-week consultation is being launched on the proposals, which are aimed at reducing the potential for large losses on the machines.
The Government has also asked the Gambling Commission for more information about how better tracking and monitoring of play on FOBTs might be used to protect players. They have also asked to see if the spin speed on games such as roulette should be looked at.