FOBTs continue to make the headlines in the UK, with both the mainstream press and members of the government advocating greater restrictions. Could the rest of the gaming industry be next?
There has been a growing sense of injustice among Britain’s street operators of arcades, adult gaming centres and those who run machines in pubs for some time. They feel that they are facing unfair competition with the bookmakers’ shops, even though they have demonstrated their ability to restrict access to machines by under-age players.
Many of them have campaigned vigorously for parity with their high street neighbours in the bookmaking industry. If that is to manifest itself by a reining back of the betting terminals in bookies, as opposed to permitting the same offer in their own premises, then many will argue ‘so be it’.
The great danger for the rest of the industry is the impact it may have on the more innocent forms of gambling in the high street. History has shown that when pressed into action against one sector of the business, governments take the opportunity to review all areas at the same time. The arcades, pubs, adult gaming centres, even the casinos, may have some concerns that we don’t end up with a situation where the ‘baby is thrown out with the bath water.’
