Councils have called on the government to take action to reduce the maximum stake on highly addictive fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs).

The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents 373 councils in England and Wales today said the current £100 maximum stake on the machines should be significantly reduced to just £2, a move CARE is campaigning for, to help problem gamblers.

Councils also want licensing laws to be updated so health problems associated with problem gambling can be taken into account when applications come in from betting shops.

The call comes as DUP MP Jim Shannon led a debate today on FOBTs in Westminster Hall and MPs from across the House of Commons joined forces to urge the government to do more.

Speaking for the government, junior minister David Evennett listed some of the steps the government have already taken but refused to commit specifically to reducing the maximum stake on FOBTs.

Last week, polling for the Campaign for Fairer Gambling revealed a majority of MPs from across the House of Commons support a reduction in the maximum stake on FOBTs.

CARE Chief Executive Nola Leach said:

“We warmly welcome this intervention by the LGA into the ongoing debate about betting machines and in particular we support their calls for a reduced maximum stake on FOBTs.

“The rise of FOBTs cannot be ignored and the rapid way these machines have spread, often clustered in economically deprived areas is a huge cause for concern.

“People are losing vast sums of money on these machines which often leads to further problems such as job losses and family breakdown and tragically, some players even commit suicide.

“Jim Shannon was absolutely right to raise this issue in Parliament today and we commend those MPs who spoke up in favour of the government doing more to curb these addictive machines.

“Sadly the government minister simply went through the by now, standard government response by highlighting a list of measures we already know about.

“FOBTs are causing social devastation across the country and the unique combination of high speed play and a high maximum stake means problem gamblers are especially at risk.

“The government should stop stalling because the longer it takes to act, the more devastation these toxic machines will cause.”

Notes to Editors:

• For more information please contact James Mildred on 07581153693 / 02072274731 or email james.mildred@care.org.uk
• For more on the LGA call to reduce the maximum stake see here: http://www.itv.com/news/2016-04-26/councils-demand-lower-maximum-stakes-on-fixed-odds-betting-terminals/
• CARE supports a reduction in the maximum stake on FOBTs from £100 to just £2: http://www.care.org.uk/news/latest-news/new-bill-aims-tackle-%E2%80%98crack-cocaine%E2%80%99-gambling
• Last week, polling by ComRes showed a majority of MPs want action on FOBTs: http://www.care.org.uk/news/latest-news/new-poll-shows-mps-want-stronger-curbs-toxic-betting-machines
• Last December, figures from the Met Police showed violence in bookmakers is on the rise: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/6800919/Record-number-of-betting-machines-being-vandalized.html
• For more information on CARE’s campaign work in support of problem gamblers and to resist further liberalisation in the law on gambling see here: http://www.care.org.uk/our-causes/more/gambling

Image taken from the ITV website