Campaign for Fairer Gambling backs MP's speech at The Gathering

Anti-gambling campaigners have welcomed a call for the amount you can bet on fixed odds betting terminals (FOBT) to be capped.

The Campaign for Fairer Gambling backed Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy MP’s call for current “unacceptable” limits which allow stakes of up to £100 per spin to be drastically cut.

Speaking at The Gathering last week Murphy said he felt a £2 limit was far more appropriate rather than people being able to blow their entire wages in a matter of minutes.

A Campaign for Fairer Gambling spokesman said: “A leading politician has taken the bull by the horns in the FOBT debate and has recognised the only effective way to protect communities from the dangers these £100 machines present, is to cut the stake to £2.

“That is what the government says is safe on all other high street gaming machines, why not FOBTs?

“Already 93 Councils across England and Wales say £2; the Liberal Democrats say £2 and now Scottish Labour. Even in Northern Ireland, the executive is now reviewing what to do about FOBTs and no doubt looking at the Republic of Ireland’s decision to ban them.”