CARE has been working with MPs from across the House as well as other charities to campaign for the stake on Fixed Odds Betting Machines (FOBTs) to be reduced from £100 to just £2. These machines have been linked to crippling debt, mental health issues, family breakdown and in extreme cases, suicide. They are also found clustered in economically-deprived areas. In reducing the stake to just £2 it limits the amount of damage these machines can wrought.

We are therefore delighted that the new regulations came into force on April 1, reducing the stakes on these toxic machines to £2. This is a positive news story and a step in the right direction in tackling problem gambling.

“It is great to see the needs of gambling addicts put firmly before the interests of the bookies and the Government should be commended for doing the right thing and cutting the stakes. But there is much more work that needs to be done to tackle problem gambling in Britain. It’s fair to say that current gambling legislation is not working for anyone, including children and young people across Britain.” CARE’s Chief Executive Nola Leach.

Listen to James Mildred, our CARE Spokesperson celebrate the new £2 limit on FOBTs below.

Read about how we worked with MPs and charities to beat the bookies and reduce the stakes in Premier Christianity magazine’s blog here.

James Mildred and our CARE for Scotland Policy Officer Gordon Macdonald were also on BBC Radio Merseyside, UCB Radio, BBC Radio Glasgow and STV News. Comments from our Chief Executive appeared in the Daily Mirror, Premier and the Catholic Universe.

But what about Northern Ireland?

Gambling policy is devolved in Northern Ireland; therefore, the stake reduction will not apply in a legally-binding way. This is unsatisfactory and yet another reason why the main parties must come together to create a functioning agreement so that the Assembly can be up and running again.

Listen to our Northern Ireland Policy Officer Mark Baillie on BBC Radio Good Morning Ulster explain more:

Mark Baillie was also a guest on the Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Foyle, Cool FM and U105. His comments were picked up on Belfast Live.

Read more about our work on gambling here.