Over the course of the past year, responsible gambling advocates have raised concerns about fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) in UK betting shops. These gaming machines are considered to be very dangerous to problem gamblers, and a new code of conduct will address these issues.
In England and Wales, players will now be able to set their own betting limits regarding the amount of time and money they spend on gaming machines. This is a positive step forward as it helps players take control of their spending by ensuring that they do not spend more money than they intend to. Then new limits will also help to ensure that players spend a reasonable amount of time on the games.
Under the new code of conduct, the games will also be required to display mandatory alerts. After the player has spent £250 or 30 minutes on the game, it will display warning messages to help players understand the risks of overspending on gaming machines.
Dirk Vennix, CEO of the Association of British Bookmakers, stated that the code has been put in place in order to address concerns about the effect of FOBTs on problem gambling rates in the UK. Responsible gambling advocates have been concerned that problem gamblers are spending too much money on the games, and the ABB wanted to help rectify the issue.
"That is why we have put together the code, which introduces revolutionary new harm minimisation measures, the likes of which have yet to be seen anywhere in the world,” says Mr Vennix. The new measures have been backed by many responsible gambling advocates, including professionals from GamCare.
They have expressed that the new code of conduct will educate players about the dangers of problem gambling while empowering them to seek support when they feel that they have lost control of their spending.
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