The All Party Parliamentary Group on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) has today (7 June 2016), launched an inquiry into the effects of FOBTs.

The cross- party group chaired by Labour MP, Carolyn Harris will examine the impact of these machines – taking oral evidence from a range of stakeholders, including academics; the gambling industry and FOBT users.

The group will also examine written evidence received by other interested stakeholders – the deadline of which is 31 July 2016.

The evidence will be used to inform a report into the machines, which will be published in early 2017.

Fixed Odds Betting Terminals are virtual gaming machines located in betting shops – they enable the individual to bet large sums of money - as much as £100 per spin quickly (or £50 when unauthorised) and are associated with harm including financial hardship and family and relationship breakdown.

CARE continues to call on the Government to reduce the stakes on FOBT machines from £100 to £2 per spin to protect the most vulnerable, having worked with Lord Clement Jones on his Private Members Bill promoting this solution in the last session of Parliament.

We warmly welcome the inquiry and look forward to the group’s report and recommendations.

For more information about the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals, please visit http://www.fobt-appg.com/