At the end of last year, the Government approved regulations meaning that the stake for Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) will be reduced from £100 to £2 per spin by 1 April 2019.

FOBTs are dubbed the ‘crack cocaine of gambling’ and are highly addictive; gamblers can bet £100 every 20 seconds on the machines. FOBTs 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.

They are predominantly found clustered in economically deprived areas and it has been a huge concern that their presence there deliberately targets vulnerable people.

Responding to the news, CARE’s James Mildred said:

“We are delighted the regulations to cut the maximum stake on FOBTs has been passed by parliament.

“This is only the first step though. The damaging effects of gambling are becoming more visible across society and the Government must introduce legislation to tackle this.

“With an estimated 430,000 adults and tens of thousands of children classed as problem gamblers in the UK the Government cannot sit on the side-lines any more.

“Current gambling legislation is not working for anyone, including children and young people across Britain. Instead it has a led to an epidemic of children problem gamblers.

“The landscape has significantly changed over the last few years in relation to gambling, with technological developments and increased betting options. We can’t simply rely on outdated law and voluntary codes to tackle the UK’s gambling problems.

“The Government needs to accept that inaction is going to make Britain’s problem gambling public health crisis worse and unless change is forthcoming, it’s going to be children who are losing out.”

You can read our UK Director’s thoughts on Christian Today here on why 2019 is the year to sort out gambling advertising.

What about Northern Ireland?

FOBTs operate in a ‘legal grey area’ in Northern Ireland. The Gambling Act 2005 does not apply to NI and so FOBTs will continue to operate at £100 a spin unless bookies decide themselves to impose the change.

Ladbrokes have voluntarily decided to reduce the stakes on FOBTs across their premises in NI in line with the rest of the UK.

Belfast City Council are holding a debate on problem gambling today, which will cover the need to resolve this issue. It will also highlight the shocking lack of existing support for addicts. Councillor John Kyle has proposed the motion which has been seconded by Councillor Donal Lyon.

CARE’s Northern Ireland Policy Officer Mark Baillie welcomes the motion and had this to say:

“Based on the evidence we do have, problem gambling is a big issue across Norther Ireland with four times as many problem gamblers as in England.

“Ladbrokes have set the pace with their decision to voluntarily reduce the stakes in their shops in Northern Ireland but so far no other bookie has publically announced that they are doing the same. Hopefully this debate will provide other betting companies with extra motivation to take action.

“Of course there is a limit to what one council can achieve and the real need is for a functioning Assembly and the social devastation caused by problem gambling is yet another reason why we need the Assembly back up and running as soon as possible.”

Read the full text of the motion up for debate by Belfast City council here.

Read our press release on the motion here: Belfast City Councillors to call for action on problem gambling