UK trade body BACTA is hopeful that the government will use new research into gaming machines from the Responsible Gambling Trust to level the playing field between high street gaming locations.
The research, which was presented by the RGT earlier this week, suggested that certain patterns of Category B2 and B3 gaming machine play in licensed betting shops may be indicative of problem gambling and made a number of recommendations for further study.
BACTA welcomed the news, stating that the research has provided “helpful and interesting data” about the players of machines found in LBOs. The research “unsurprisingly” highlighted higher overall spend, greater session length and higher bets as potential red flags.
However, BACTA pointed out that the machines found in bookmakers are unavailable in other high street venues, such as adult gaming centres, which also provide machine-based entertainment for over-18s.
“Adult gaming centres have suffered unfair competition from bookmakers due to the existence of these machines in betting offices. BACTA believes the research will help the government take the steps necessary to ensure the playing field is levelled for all age-controlled high street gambling venues whether by equalising the stake for machines at an appropriate level or by providing additional opportunities for the AGC sector to provide added amusement to its customer offer.”
