80% of MPs believe FOBTs are causing harm to the UK’s most vulnerable
Campaign for Fairer Gambling
A cross party survey carried out by ComRes has revealed that eight out of ten MPs (81%) think Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs), the £100 high stakes casino gaming machines in betting shops, are having a negative impact on vulnerable people in society.
In the largest ever survey of MPs on the machines dubbed the “crack cocaine of gambling”, the poll revealed over two thirds (72%) of MPs across all parties agree that there should be greater regulation of the machines by government with 67% believing the £100 stake is too high.
The polling of the 150 MPs, shows widespread concern in Parliament about the harm being caused in local communities and to the most vulnerable in society who are drawn into the addictive high stake, high speed casino games which last year saw users lose almost £1.7 billion.
The dominance of betting shops and FOBTs in poorer, high unemployment areas has produced a stronger backlash from Labour and SNP MPs. 85% of Labour MPs think the £100 stake is too high with 93% of SNP MPs agreeing.* Due to the level of concern about these machines in Parliament, the new Labour MP, Carolyn Harris, launched the inaugural meeting of a cross party group focusing on the machines this week on Tuesday the 19th. The group comprises: Chair – Carolyn Harris MP (Labour), Vice Chair – Stuart McDonald (SNP), Vice Chair – David Lammy (Labour), Secretary – Sir Peter Bottomley (Conservative) and Treasurer – Stephen Timms (Labour).
Carolyn Harris MP said “These machines are blighting our communities and ruining people’s lives and the Government must take steps to properly regulate them.”
Sadiq Khan, Labours’ London Mayoral candidate and MP for Tooting which has 27 betting shops and over 100 FOBTs, said: “Fixed-odds betting terminals can be hugely damaging to people’s lives and our communities in London. I’ll use all my powers as Mayor to clamp down on them.”
Though concern about the high stakes machines is more widespread among Labour and SNP MPs, the government faces mounting concern on its own back benches with a substantial chunk of Conservative MPs expressing concern. According to the poll, over half of Tory MPs questioned (54%) said that there is a need for greater regulation of the machines by government, just under half (47%) believe the £100 stake is too high and almost three quarters (72%) think they are having a negative impact on vulnerable groups in society.
The results of the ComRes survey and the depth of concern among MPs, particularly Tory backbenchers will cause worry in Downing Street where the timing of a review looking at stake and prize levels is currently being discussed.
The review which should have commenced by now has stalled amidst claims “No. 10” had blocked it. Among prominent Tory MPs opposed to FOBTs is Boris Johnson who said “Fixed odds betting machines are the scourge of our High Streets and a very bad thing for our community” and Charles Walker, Vice Chair of the influential Tory 1922 backbench committee has condemned the blocking of the review saying “The decision flew in the face of mounting concerns among fellow Conservatives”.
*Due to the small base size for SNP MPs (n=14), results for the SNP should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.
