Australia isn’t the only country in which pokie spending limits are a major issue. In the United Kingdom, there is currently a dispute over how much money players should be able to spend on pokies. This week, the government made its decision on the issue, and it has been quite controversial. Lawmakers in the United Kingdom decided to keep pokie spending limits the same, in response to a call for lower limits.
Earlier this year, 93 councils banded together to ask the government to reduce the amount of money that players can spend. The proposal asked for limits to be reduced from £100 to £2. The councils wanted to introduce the new, reduced limit in order to help control problem gambling rates.
With players spending up to £100 on games, there is the potential for them to spending thousands of pounds per hour – which could lead to the development of dangerous gambling habits and possibly addiction. The government has rejected the proposal, stating that there are currently enough safeguards on poker machines in the country.
Players are given the option to set their own betting limits so that they can keep track of their spending as they spin the reels on pokies. So far, this has been quite an effective responsible gambling strategy, as the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) stated that over 125 000 players have been setting their own limits and sticking to them.
“We welcome the decision and we have been working closely with the government and the Gambling Commission on a series of responsible gambling initiatives,” says a spokesperson for the ABB. Another initiatives stops players from spending £50 per machine under certain circumstances. If a player wishes to spend more than £50, they must open an account with the bookmaker or visit a cashier.
There are also plenty of responsible gambling messages that remind players to exercise caution while gambling.
About the Author
