Gambling Enquiry

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) today rejected seven out of nine complaints made by the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) about advertisements run by the Campaign for Fairer Gambling around the time of the Corby by-election in November 2012.

The Campaign for Fairer Gambling advertised in regional newspaper the Northamptonshire Telegraph, which is read by constituents and potential voters. It brought to their attention the subject of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs), their addictive roulette content and the social and financial implications of gambling addiction.

The advertisement also encouraged voters to ask their by-election candidates for their stance on FOBTs and problem gambling. The advertisement drew complaints from the ABB on a number of points relating to the addictive nature of FOBTs, the ability to stake £100 every 20 seconds and a faster speed of play compared to casinos. (more…)

Addiction experts have branded them “the crack-cocaine of gambling”.

Fixed Odds Betting Terminals invite gamblers to bet up to £100 every 20 seconds.

Medway Council says strict restrictions on maximum stakes are urgently needed, but the Government doesn’t agree. John Ryall spoke to former gambling addict Matt Zarb-Cousin and Medway Council Labour Group Leader Vince Maple.

Watch the full video on ITV Meridian News online.

Coinslot has highlighted our debate with the All Party Gaming and Betting committee on its front page. Read it here.

Dear Local Authority Licensing Officer,

Recently the Department of Culture Media and Sport issued a report on the hearing into the 2005 Gambling Act. A major recommendation was a shift towards more Local Authority (LA) licensing responsibility. The Chairman of the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has acknowledged that, based on a 2009 concordat, LAs have a regulatory role over day-to-day compliance and enforcement of betting shop licences. (more…)

“We are very disturbed by the committee recommendations. Instead of cutting back on destructive roulette machines in betting shops (known as Fixed Odds Betting Terminals – “FOBTs” or B2s), they are recommending more FOBTs in betting shops and allowing them in other venues.

“Adding more FOBTs in betting shops will not reduce betting shop premises clustering; it will result in increased machine clustering. (more…)

Decisions should be made where impacts are felt – locally – with just enough central regulation to protect vulnerable, especially children

In a report published on Tuesday 24 July 2012, the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee says that the Gambling Act 2005 resulted in numerous inconsistencies and is not sufficiently evidence based. The Committee says more power should be devolved to local authorities—which have the local knowledge to assess their impact—with central regulation existing to ensure high standards of protection for the vulnerable, particularly children. See our response here. (more…)