In the United Kingdom, the gaming industry is currently in a battle over gaming machines similar to the pokie debate here in Australia. Members of the general public are working hard to reduce the potential harm that gaming machines can cause. This week, 92 local councils have petitioned the government reduce the maximum bet on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) from £100 to £2.
FOBTs have become hugely popular in betting shops across the country. They allow players to wager large sums of money on various casino-style games at a very fast rate. Since they are not located in casinos, they are not subject to the game regulations as slot machines, so local community members want to introduce limits to help protect players.
Local councils are very invested in reducing the potential harm of betting shops and gaming machine. They have spent the last few years fighting the proliferation of betting shops on high streets, and have now turned their attention to the FOBTs that are located inside these venues. The Sustainable Communities Act (SCA) aims to make this happen.
Introduced in 2007, the SCA is a government process which allows local councils to influence government action in order to promote the sustainability of communities. The reduction of the FOBT betting limit is the ideal platform for the SCA.
“Some 92 councils, of all political parties, have signed up to our Sustainable Communities Act, the largest number ever, to urge government to bring an end to casino-style gambling on the high street, and prevent betting shops from clustering and destroying our shopping districts, especially in deprived areas,” says Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales.
Now, the government has one year to responds to the SCA proposal. The deadline will land shortly before the government review into gaming machine stakes and prizes.
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