Government ignores evidence and dithers on FOBTs

After much anticipation, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced its policy update on gambling and Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs). After murmurs of a £50 stake reduction and a crackdown on the terminals which have become known as the ‘crack cocaine of gambling’ – the eventual announcement was only noticeable by its absence of any tangible action.

Despite mounting evidence of problem gambling and the negative social and economic impacts associated with FOBTs, the Government has predictably stopped short of implementing a stake reduction on the addictive roulette machines, which allow gamblers to gamble £100 every 20 seconds. It will now wait until October to announce any further developments.

The Government insists that it is waiting for the Responsible Gambling Trust (RGT) research to be published. But there is no government explanation as why this academic research is going to provide a better understanding than all the currently available evidence.

Let’s take a look at the evidence DCMS has so far ignored:

Public opinion

A series of polls carried out by research companies including YouGov, 2CVand ComReshave revealed a growing public discord towards FOBTs. The YouGov survey revealed than an overwhelming 70% of Brits polled wanted stake restrictions to be imposed on bookies’ roulette machines.
Economic arguments

A host of economic reports have debunked the ABB-propagated myth that thousands of jobs are at stake if FOBT restrictions are introduced. NERA consultingand Landman Economicsfound that ABB claims had been wildly overestimated, while Howard Reedconcluded that the presence of FOBTs actually destroys just over 13,000 jobs in the UK.

Problem gambling

The Goldsmiths reporthave found the Government plays a role in sustaining the focus on “problem gambling”, which obscures the relationship between the gambling industry and the state and explains multiple reservations about RGT research, which government is relying on. Meanwhile, the Royal College of Psychiatrywas highly critical of inadequate treatment provision for problem gamblers. Each of these independent reports highlights FOBTs as being particularly problematic. Two British Gambling Prevalence Surveys ( 2007& 2010) found links between gaming machines and “disordered gambling”. The 2010 study estimated that 23% of FOBT revenue is derived from pathologically addicted gamblers.

And the evidence that supports Government proposals? Data to show that staff intervention after £50 cash is inserted for a single play would be effective?NONE

Conclusion

From all of the above evidence the only informed and evidence-based conclusion is that a precautionary £2 cap on the maximum stake is the most effective way to reduce the harm that FOBTs cause to society, problem gamblers and the economy.

The Campaignwill continue until it prevails with its objectives to reduce the stake from £100 to £2 per spin and to remove the impact of addictive, high-speed, high-stake roulette content.