This week the UK Government have launched their long-threatened gambling review, which includes both an examination of fixed odds betting machines and television advertising. The review has been an issue of contention for the past few months, with campaigners from both sides of the debate being very vocal in what the outcome could bring. Anti-gambling campaigners have promised that the review will help put a stop to problem gaming, whilst bookmakers deem it unnecessary.
Fixed Odds Betting Machines
The majority of the review will be centered around fixed odds betting machines, also known as FOBTs or B2 gaming machines. These are the electronic games found in bookmakers across the UK, which often have a high maximum stake of £100. The review will consider whether the current maximum stake is acceptable, as users can risk losing hundreds of pounds within a matter of minutes. Swansea Labour MP, Carolyn Harris has called the machines dangerous, adding that ‘these machines are capable of taking £100 every 20 seconds, that’s £300 every minute.’
Under current regulations, bookmakers are restricted to four machines per shop, however the review claims that the games make a ‘phenomenal’ amount of money from players. Last year, customers are said to have lost £1.7bn by using these machines.
In her statement yesterday, the Conservative Minister for Sport, Tracey Crouch said that by launching this review she is ‘seeking to ensure that we have the right 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 consumers and communities, including those who are just about managing.’
She added that the review ‘will include a close look at the issue of sub-category B2 gaming machines and specific concerns about the harm they cause, be that to the players themselves or the local communities in which they are located.’
In a move that will go some way towards satisfying anti-gambling campaigners, who wish to reduce the maximum stake from £100 to £2, Crouch also stated that the reports will explore ‘whether the stake and prize limits set out in legislation and the rules on where these machines can be played are right.’
The UK Gambling Commission have also welcomed the review, calling it an ‘excellent opportunity’ for those with a gambling interest to have their say. The call for evidence closes on December 4, which means those opposing the investigation will have a short period to speak out.
Malcom George, of The Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) is one of those on the other side of the debate. He argued that ‘it’s very easy for the anti-gambling lobby to make strong false claims about the industry’ and that, in fact ‘The range of measures we have on our machines as opposed to those in casinos, are very effective and allow us to identify people who are getting into trouble with their gambling.’
This is backed up by a review last year into FOBTs, which changed regulations so that players staking more than £50 would have to speak to shop staff before doing so. George added that ‘these machines have been in shops for fifteen years, there have been reviews, and when the evidence is put in front of government, they come to the same conclusions: it’s absolutely right they should be there.’
TV Advertising On The Chopping Block
Within her speech, Crouch also announced that she was ‘keen to receive evidence on the effectiveness of social responsibility measures across industry, including requirements around gambling advertising.’ This second part of the review was only announced two weeks ago, and will look at the impact of daytime TV advertising.
Currently, bookmakers and casinos are only able to advertise during daytime hours if they are promoting bingo games or during breaks in live sporting events. However, pressure from anti-gambling campaigners means that the DCMS (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) have now called it an ‘area of concern‘.
Speaking on behalf of The Campaign for Fairer Gambling, Derek Webb said that ‘advertising normalises gambling and encourages young persons to engage in the activity.’
However, whilst the gambling authorities may have accepted a look into FOBTs, they seem more defensive of their right to advertise. The RGA (Remote Gambling Association), whose members include Ladbrokes, William Hill, Paddy Power and Betfair, have argued that this part of the review unnecessary . They referenced the 2015 review, in which ‘all the evidence was considered and it was deemed there wasn’t significant evidence to make a change of that kind’ says RGA chief executive Clive Hawkswood.
