As this newspaper has reported (Problem gambling ‘a risk to over 2m in UK’, 25 August), the Natcen report found evidence of an increase in addiction among those playing controversial fixed-odds betting terminals, which have been criticised for allowing betting shop customers to spend up to £100 every 20 seconds. In fact, according to the report, “43% of FOBT users are either problem or at-risk gamblers”. Surely the Gambling Commission, which has a duty to minimise gambling-related harm and protect children and the vulnerable, must uphold its duty and recommend that the £100 stake is reduced to £2? The government must act on that advice without further delay to protect the most vulnerable in our society.
Tim Clement-Jones House of Lords
Rt Rev Alan Smith Bishop of St Albans
Leslie MacLeod-Miller
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com
• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters
