Calls intensify for crackdown on addictive gaming machines as Theresa May announces review
Calls have intensified for a crackdown on machines dubbed the crack cocaine of gambling after figures revealed players had lost millions of pounds in just one year.
Fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) allow players to stake up to £300 per minute on high speed casino games or simulated horse and dog races.
FOBTs rake in millions of pounds of profits for bookmakers across the UK, but have been described as “dangerous and harmful” by problem gambling support groups.
On Tuesday, the Campaign for Fairer Gambling revealed the true extent of how much money Scottish players had lost to the machines, which now account for 56% of all bookmakers’ profits.
With losses on these machines mounting year on year so is the harm to families and communities
A survey of each council region discovered losses of £172 million between September 2014 and September 2015, with an estimated £4.8 billion being gambled on FOBTs over the 12-month-period.
The worst affected areas were found to be Glasgow, Edinburgh, Lanarkshire, Aberdeen, Fife and Renfrewshire.
The figures were published as Prime Minister Theresa May ordered a review of the machines that could see the maximum stake slashed from £100 to £2.
A spokesperson for the campaign said: “Evidence of the dangerous and harmful nature of FOBTs is there for everyone to see.
“With losses on these machines mounting year on year so is the harm to families and communities blighted by clusters of betting shops and FOBTs.
“Never before have so many councils joined together calling for action, and given the announcement of a review backed by Theresa May it looks like time could soon be called on these destructive machines.”
Scottish politicians are also calling for Holyrood to be given more control over the operation of FOBTs in the country.
Stuart McMillan MSP said: "Whilst I clearly welcome new powers coming to the Scottish Parliament, the situation created by the new FOBT powers will only create confusion and red tape.
“With this review into FOBTs, the UK Government have a chance to devolve full powers over FOBTs to Scotland so that we can get on with the job of providing a sensible and workable solution for Scotland.”
