Law would give local governments more power
Scottish lawmakers have amplified the call to stop fixed-odds betting terminals from growing in high street betting shops. According to the Scotsman, local councils say they have little to no power to stop more shops from opening. FOBTs have been famously dubbed “the crack cocaine of gambling” because of their ability to accept fast, high-limit wagers.
MSPs have echoed concerns by the public and gaming critics who say punters can lose hundreds of pounds on FOBTs in a single session. In a letter to Crawford Beveridge, chairman of the review of the Scottish Planning System, MSP Kevin Stewart wrote that local authorities have no power to check the proliferation of new betting shops, even in areas where they already abound.
“It quickly became clear to us there is disquiet about the number of betting shops in communities across Scotland with void properties being replaced with bookmakers,” Stewart said. “Consideration should be given to placing betting shops in a distinct planning class in order that issues such as over-provision can be taken into account.”
There are now some 800 FOBTs in 200 betting shops in Glasgow alone, reported the Scotsman.
Andrew Lynam of UK bookmaker William Hill has said about 40 percent of the firm’s profits comes from gaming machines. But he refuted the claim that FOBTs contribute to compulsive gaming. “The idea that gaming machines are particularly addictive is not borne out by the Scottish government’s own evidence,” he said.
Each of Scotland’s 32 licensing boards have been asked to write to planners on the issue, according to the Glasgow Evening Times. Glasgow City Council Treasurer Paul Rooney says bookies target poorer communities, and said tens of millions of pounds are lost on the machines every year.
The Scotland Bill would give ministers greater authority to limit FOBTs when new betting licenses are granted.
