The much-anticipated cut to the maximum stake on highly additive betting machines comes into force across Great Britain today (1 April), but Northern Ireland will miss out, leaving problem gamblers at risk.

Regulations passed by MPs at Westminster last year mean the stake on controversial fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) will be just £2, a big reduction on £100 it was previously.

But because gambling policy is devolved, the stake reduction won’t apply in Northern Ireland in any legally binding way, even though there are estimated to be four times as many problem gamblers as in England.

Today, leading Christian charity CARE in Northern Ireland said the situation was unsatisfactory and that it highlighted the urgent need for a functioning Assembly.

FOBT’s offer a toxic combination of high-speed play and until today, offered a maximum stake of £100, meaning you could theoretically lose £300 in just one minute.

The machines have been linked closely to crippling debt, crime, mental health issues, marriage and family breakdown and in extreme cases – suicide.

There are thought to be at least several hundred FOBTs currently operating in Northern Ireland, but an exact figure cannot be given as the Department for Communities does not record the number of gambling machines operating in Northern Ireland.

Thanks to pressure from local councils, leading bookmakers have voluntarily agreed to cut the stake in line with the rest of the UK, but this lacks the legally binding force of the British regulations.

Ladbrokes announced it would reduce the stakes in November and after a motion at Belfast City Council took place in January the majority of betting shops, including William Hill, Paddy Power, Betfair, Toals and McLeans followed suit. While this is welcome, because it is on a voluntary basis, there is no way to be sure the maximum stakes will be cut across the board.

CARE’s Northern Ireland Policy Officer Mark Baillie said:

“Northern Ireland has the highest rate of problem gamblers in the UK, four times more than England does, so the fact the stake reduction will not apply here in a legally binding way is unsatisfactory, to say the least.

“With no sitting Assembly we have found ourselves in the unique position of having to plead with bookies to reduce the stakes voluntarily on FOBTs in order to protect problem gamblers and their families from the harm these machines cause.

“Whilst we very much appreciate that some bookmakers have voluntarily agreed to reduce the stakes there is nothing legally binding in their commitment, which is yet another reason why it is imperative we resolve the current impasse at Stormont.

“There’s an urgent need for proper research into how many FOBTs are operating here and it’s well known that these machines are operating in a legal grey area which needs to be resolved.

“Northern Ireland’s gambling legislation is outdated, not only does it not consider FOBTs, but there’s little on online gambling regulation or providing sufficient care for problem gamblers.

“It is not right for example, that accessing support services to treat gambling addiction is so dependent on how much money you earn.

“There is a limit to what councils and charities can achieve in tackling problem gambling in Northern Ireland. It requires new laws, putting pressure on the main parties here to create a functioning agreement so that the Assembly can be up and running again.”

ENDS

Notes to the editors:

For more information / interview requests, please contact Rachael Adams: Rachael.adams@care.org.uk / 07581153693

CARE for NI has been a leading voice in calling for change in gambling legislation in Northern Ireland and has spoken out about the harmful effects of FOBTs on individuals and society.

Following the announced plan to cut the maximum stake on FOBTs in April 2019, CARE in NI called for action to be taken to ensure the cut applies in Northern Ireland: https://care.org.uk/news/latest-news/govt-u-turn-fobts-leaves-out-ni

CARE in Northern Ireland Policy Officer Mark Baillie has written this piece on the need to reform Northern Ireland’s outdated gambling laws: We must reform our outdated gambling laws

In November 2018, Ladbrokes announced it would cut the maximum stake on FOBTs in NI, to bring them into line with the rest of the UK: https://care.org.uk/news/latest-news/ladbrokes-commits-cutting-betting-machine-stake-northern-ireland

Belfast City Councillors to call for action on problem gambling – CARE

Bookies follow Ladbrokes lead to slash FOBTs stake in NI - CARE

More NI bookmakers announce reduction in FOBT maximum stake – CARE

Listen to CARE in NI’s Mark Baillie on BBC Radio Talkback here.

In May 2017, the Department for Communities published a survey which found a problem gambling prevalence rate of 2.3% in NI, four times higher than in England: https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/communities/2016-ni-gambling-prevalence-survey-main-report.pdf

Research has also shown a link between problem gambling and proliferation of betting shops with FOBTs: https://care.org.uk/news/latest-news/research-shows-link-between-problem-gambling-and-proliferation-betting-shops-fobts