Highly addictive fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) in Northern Ireland will have the maximum stake dramatically cut to just £2, in a major victory for campaigners.

Last year, following the British Government’s decision to implement the stake reduction on FOBTs from April 2019, Ladbrokes were the first to say they would apply the reduction to NI as well to make sure it was in line with the rest of the UK.

This week, a further three bookies - William Hill, Paddy Power and Coral also agreed to reduce the stake on FOBTs in NI.

Now in a statement released last night, the Northern Ireland Turf Guardians’ Association (NITGA) have called on all bookies in NI to follow the example of Ladbrokes and others and reduce the stake on FOBTs from £100 to just £2 as of April 2019. Councillor John Kyle also announced the decision this morning on GMU.

Due to the peculiarities of the current law, FOBTs operate in a legal grey area in NI meaning the British Government’s decision to cut the stake there does not apply in NI and so it required voluntary action on the part of the bookies to make this happen.

Public policy charity CARE in Northern Ireland today welcomed the news and praised the willingness of bookies to take this positive step.

CARE in NI Policy Officer Mark Baillie said:

“This is fantastic news and credit should be given to Councillor Kyle for taking up this vital issue and to the bookies for proactive action.

“FOBTs cause genuine social devastation and the toxic combination they offer of high speed play and a high maximum stake mean punters can lose thousands far too easily.

“With the British Government cutting the stake over there, it was vital bookies took action to bring NI into line with the rest of the UK.

“The fact that FOBTs operate in a legal grey area meant the onus was with the bookies to do something to address the absurdly high maximum stake here.

“The fact they have done so is great news for problem gamblers and their families all across Northern Ireland.

“Let’s hope this is the start of further action to provide support and help to those addicted to gambling.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

For more information please contact James Mildred: James.mildred@care.org.uk // 07717516814