Stake on fixed odds betting terminals cut to £2 in major victory for Mirror

The maximum stake on highly addictive fixed odds betting terminals is being cut to just £2 on Monday.

It is a success for the Mirror, which has campaigned for these new regulations.

FOBTs, which had limits set at a £100, have been dubbed the “crack cocaine of gambling”.

Nola Leach, boss of social policy charity CARE, said: “It is great to see the needs of gambling addicts put before the interests of bookies.

“But there is much more work that needs to be done.”

FOBTs offered a toxic combination of high-speed play and a high maximum stake where you could lose £300 in only one minute.

FOBTs have been criticised by MPs for the damage they can do to players (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

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Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright said: “Reducing the potential loss per spin to £2 is a significant step in protecting vulnerable people.”

Stricter identity and age check rules for online gambling will also come into effect from May.

The Government has been called on to do more about the UK's gambling problem (Getty Images/Glowimages RF)

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CARE now wants a statutory tax on betting firms to fund support for those with problems.

Ms Leach added: “The Government must address gambling-related harms.”