This year, responsible gambling advocates in the United Kingdom have taken up arms against gaming machines that are located in betting shops across the country. Referred to as fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs), they are believed to have caused a significant spike in problem gambling rates across the country – and some politicians have proposed some reforms to correct the damage.
Ed Miliband, leader of the Labour Party, has proposed some reforms that would change the way gaming machines are regulated. Firstly, he aims to reclassify betting shops, which would limit the number of new FOBTs that are introduced. Currently, betting shops are classified as A2 properties, which mean they do not need planning permission before they are built.
The reform would change their classification so that betting shop owners will have to submit to planning regulations. This means that local councils could weigh in, possibly preventing more betting shops from opening up on high streets. Reforms would also change the power that local councils have over betting shops.
Currently, local authorities have the ability to grant a gaming license to the property as a whole but they cannot limit the number of gaming machines on the premises. The reforms would change the Gambling Act so that local councils have a say in the matter. Mr Miliband also wants to introduce harm minimisation measures.
He would like to see all games installed with warning messages that not only inform players about the risks of gambling but also keep players updated about the amount of time and money they have spent on the games. These messages would be similar to warnings that have been implemented on pokies in Australian gaming clubs.
The jury is still out on whether they are effective at reducing potential gambling harm, but it is certainly a step in the right direction.
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