Councillor: FOBTs make up half of bookies’ profits
Some lawmakers in Bedford, England are beseeching the government for more power to police their local betting shops.
According to the Bedford Times & Citizen, Liberal Democrats supported by national anti-gaming groups have asked for new legislation that will let allow local councils to take on the issue of fixed-odds betting terminals, famously dubbed “the crack cocaine of betting.”
FOBTs in high-street betting shops allow punters to bet up to £100 (US$155) per wager, and have been blamed for exacerbating the problems of compulsive gamblers.
“This is outrageous, but councils currently do not have the power to tackle these addictive machines,” said Councillor Sarah Holland. She added that locals have lost £4 million (US$6.2 million) in the borough, and said FOBTs account for approximately 50 percent of betting shop profits.
“That is why we have asked for views on a statement about safeguards against them being placed in the council’s Statement of Gambling Licensing Principles, and call on the government to devolve more powers to councils,” she said.
The national group Stop the FOBTs has thrown its support to the local cause. Spokesman Matt Zarb-Cousin said the experience of bettors in high-street betting shops is markedly different from that in casinos, and FOBTs play into the weaknesses of compulsive players.
“A casino is normally a planned night out. It is social and slower, with the ball rolling every three to four minutes,” he said. “On the high street, it’s a solitary and immersive activity, where players are highly likely to become addicted.
“If local authorities supported the campaign, a lot of problems in their area would be resolved such as problem gambling, violent crime and money laundering,” he said. “Anything that strengthens local authority power, we’d be behind it.”
