Britain’s bookmakers - who number among them some of Europe’s largest, such as Ladbrokes Coral and William Hill - got an unexpected last minute reprieve on fixed-odds betting terminals, the bookmakers’ shop gambling devices that have come under mounting criticism in recent times.
Instead of the expected sharp cut-back on maximum stakes that was widely predicted, the British government has instead put into place a consultation period before a final decision is taken.
The industry had braced itself for the £100 maximum stake to be reduced to as low as £2, to bring it into line with other high street outlets, including pubs where the AWP machine (Category C in the UK) is mostly situated.
Britain’s gambling minister, Tracey Crouch, today announced a three-month consultation period on stakes reduction, but made it clear that the maximum stake would be reduced. At the same time Crouch said that the UK’s gambling industry would be made responsible for ensuring that advertising of gambling was kept under control.
The FOBTs, Category B2 in Britain, will now face a close scrutiny that will include cutting the stake to anything between £50 and £2. Crouch said that she had asked the Gambling Commission, which oversees British gambling, to supply more information on how it sees better tracking and monitoring of play on FOBTs can be achieved. The outcome should be to improve the protection of players and also to investigate the speed at which software plays roulette and other games so that losses can be minimised.
The measures on advertising are directed mainly at strengthening protections around online gambling to cut the risks to vulnerable people and children.
“It is vital that we strike the right balance between socially responsible growth and protecting the most vulnerable, including children, from gambling-related harm,” said Crouch. “Given the strong evidence and public concerns about the risks of high stakes gaming machines on the high street, we are convinced of the need for action. That is why today we have set out a package of proposals to ensure all consumers and wider communities are protected.
“We have seen online gambling grow rapidly and we need to protect players in this space, while also making sure those experiencing harm relating to gambling receive the help they need.”
On other gaming machines, including AWPs, the triennial review of stakes and prizes is not going to affect current levels, apart from prize bingo where the industry has asked for an increase in stakes from £1 to £2 and in prizes from £70 to £100. The government, said Crouch, is happy to bring that in.
In today’s Daily Telegraph, John White, CEO of trade association BACTA, prepared for the outcome of the statement, by saying that he was not surprised at the consultation period for FOBTs. “There has to be due process,” he said. “The reason for this is that the government is very conscious how controversial the issue is.”
He added that a cut in stakes to, say, £20 would not be enough, given the political support behind a £2 limit.
