Representatives from the Stop the FOBTs Campaign are joining MP Tom Watson and other members of parliament today on the House of Commons Green to raise awareness of their calls to reduce the maximum stake to £2.
In its recent consultation, the government recommended keeping the maximum stake on fixed odds betting terminals found in licensed betting offices at £100. This recommendation has been criticised by those concerned about the impact the machines have.
“Despite empirical evidence of the addictive nature of FOBTs being submitted to the triennial review, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport has so far decided to maintain the status quo, after the Gambling Commission failed to include that evidence in its advice,” said Derek Webb, founder of the Campaign for Fairer Gambling.
Today’s meeting is aimed at encouraging MPs to vote against the implementation of these recommendations, he said.
Tom Watson said: “FOBTs have been described as the ‘crack cocaine’ of gambling. They're a menace to every high street. The government has it in their power to act. We hope to persuade them this is now an urgent matter.”
