UK Gambling Review – Bookmaker News

UK government to examine the problem of gambling addiction

Bookmaker News

The UK government has finally launched its long-awaited review of gambling, which will include an examination of the impact of betting shop gaming machines along with bookmakers’ advertising.

Campaigners have long called for the maximum stakes on gaming machines found in betting shops, also known as fixed odds betting terminals or FOBTs, to be reduced to £2 from £100. FOBTs are largely blamed for an upsurge in problem gambling and addiction but bookmakers claim that any restrictions would lead to widespread high street betting shop closures, which could have a major impact on British racing’s finances through levy and media rights and also cause job losses.

Interested parties have until December 4 to produce evidence to back up their claims but the government has already said that the review will cover the maximum stakes and prizes for gaming machines across all premises and also look at the number and location of gaming machines as well as what kind of social responsibility measures are in place to protect players from gambling-related problems.

Within the examination of the betting industry’s social responsibility requirements would be a review of gambling advertising to understand whether the right measures are in place to ensure that the young and vulnerable are protected.

Sports channels are flooded with bookmaker commercials at peak times but any restriction on gambling advertising before the 9pm UK watershed could affect the sponsorship options of televised horse racing. The Sunday afternoon slot for live football often pulls in the biggest viewing figures and that would also be affected.

Sports minister Tracey Crouch is seeking to ensure that any new legislation strikes a balance between a sector that can grow and contribute to the economy, and one that is socially responsible and doing all it can to protect vulnerable consumers and communities – statistics at present suggest it is those that can least afford to lose are currently those suffering. Of course, some will argue that everyone has within them the power to curtail or restrict their own gambling – but that would be a simplistic and erroneous view of an addiction just as compelling as that of an alcoholic or a frequent drug user.

Responding to the announcement of the review, Association of British Bookmakers chief executive Malcolm George said: “We welcome an evidence-based review of the gambling industry. This is a broad review of the industry and we will be submitting detailed evidence on the elements relevant to high street betting shops and our six million customers. Since the last review in 2013, we have worked closely with the government and Gambling Commission to introduce and develop a range of new responsible gambling measures in betting shops.”

Maybe a pin number system on FOBTs is the way forward – there is already talk of a national database of addicted gamblers being implemented and the technology exists to deny those most at risk access. But that would cost money and that will be the next question – who pays?