Reports have surfaced that Bookmakers are looking to do a ‘backroom deal’ with Chancellor Philip Hammond to avoid the stake on fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) being cut to £2.

The machines, dubbed the ‘crack cocaine of gambling’ are highly addictive; gamblers can bet £100 every 20 seconds on the machines. FOBT’s contributed to 96 per cent of all losses over £1,000 in betting shops and have been linked closely to crippling debt, crime, mental health issues, marriage and family breakdown and in extreme cases – suicide.

It has been reported that The Treasury has refused to sign off any decision to cut the stakes as they remain doubtful that the tax revenue collected from the machines could be fully replaced. Reports suggest they are also reluctant to make any decision before the local elections on May 3rd.

A recent study however countered the Treasury's claim, asserting that FOBTs cost frontline services over £210m a year, including £116m in hospital inpatient visits, £32m in secondary mental health services and £16m through criminal behaviour.

Research has also shown that they are often found clustered in the most economically deprived areas, having a significantly negative impact on local communities and on vulnerable people.

There has been continuous support from both the general public, the media and from Members of Parliament across all political parties to significantly reduce the £100 stake that can be wagered on FOBTs down to £2.

CARE’s Chief Executive Nola Leach

““CARE is very disappointed that the government appears to be placing much more value on the tax revenue collected from these machines than to the harm they cause to society and to vulnerable people.”

“If the Chancellor were to make a backroom deal with the bookmakers on fixed odds betting terminals it would be a betrayal of public trust as huge support has been shown by the public, charities and MPs and Peers from all parties to significantly reduce the stakes to £2”

“FOBTs are predominantly found clustered in economically deprived areas and it is a growing concern that their presence there deliberately targets vulnerable people.”

“If additional revenues need to be raised then we urge the Prime Minister and Chancellor to find other means of doing so that do not depend on the exploitation of vulnerable people.”

“CARE strongly supports significantly reducing the stakes on FOBTs from £100 to £2 per spin, as this would minimise the harm these machines can cause.”

Ends

Notes to the editor:

For more information please contact Rachael Adams on 020 7227 4731 / 07851 153693 or rachael.adams@care.org.uk

Philip Hammond blocks curbs on betting machines – The Times

CARE has spoken out about the damage of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals for many years and CARE’s Director of Parliamentary Affairs gave evidence at the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and called on the government to reduce the stakes on the machines from £100 to £2 per spin.

CARE has long spoken out about the harmful effects of FOBTs on individuals and society and advocated for the reduction of stakes for FOBTs, noting the link between problem gambling and proliferation of betting shops with FOBTs: Research shows link between problem gambling and proliferation of betting shops with FOBTs

England's poorest bet £13bn on gambling machines -Amount gambled on high-speed machines in deprived boroughs is double that staked in richest areas, report claims

Wheel of Misfortune: the case for lowering the stakes on FOBTs – ResPublica and Fairer Gambling report, Oct 2017

CARE has previously helped facilitate events in parliament where recovering problem gamblers have been able to relate to parliamentarians the devastating effects of gambling addictions on their lives and on the lives of their families.

To see more on our latest work on gambling please click here: https://care.org.uk/news/gambling