Fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) could see the maximum bet of £300 reduced to between £2 and £50 according to proposals unveiled by the government.
A review by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) found that the current level of regulation is inappropriate and recognised that frequent high stakes have a “potentially harmful impact on the player and their wider communities”.
The review also raised concerns that bookmakers, who are allowed four FOBTs per shop, tend to cluster them in poorer areas with higher unemployment. Earlier this month the industry regulator, the Gambling Commission, warned that more than 2 million people in the UK are either problem gamblers or at risk of addiction.
Share your experiences
We would like to hear from readers, workers, experts and those who place bets about the gambling industry. How often do you use FOBTs? What draws you to it? Do you work in the industry? How has it changed? Do you think there should be more regulation? Share your stories and experiences with us.
