Wishaw MP Marion Fellows has welcomed upcoming restrictions on online casino games.
New restrictions designed to make online games less intensive and safer have been announced by the Gambling Commission.
They include the introduction of limits on spin speeds, as well as a permanent ban on features that speed up play or celebrate losses as wins.
Operators must clearly display to the player their total losses or wins.
The Gambling Commission said online operators would need to implement the new rules by October 31.
The moves come in response to concern over what are known as online slot games – that is, games designed to mimic slot machines in real-life betting shops and casinos.
These account for an estimated 70 per cent of online casino games.
According to the Gambling Commission, these slot games have by far the highest average losses per player of online gambling products.
Mrs Fellows said: “The new restrictions from the Gambling Commission are welcome. If people choose to gamble, then it should be done in such a way that they are not taken advantage of and encouraged to spend more and more of their money.
“Problem gambling is fast becoming a critical issue and is undoubtedly harming people’s mental health. The proper steps should be taken to halt it. More needs to be done. We should seriously consider curbing gambling advertising – especially around football and other sports.
“The harms of problem gambling not only impact on the individual, but also their families and friends. Millions are taken out of people’s pockets through problem gambling. It is a financial drain on people and their communities.
“People who think they may have a gambling problem can reach out for support by contacting GambleAware.”
In the past Mrs Fellows was a fierce critic of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs).
In 2018, she insisted more must be done to tackle the issue of problem gambling.
The MP spoke out following the UK Government’s announcement that the maximum stake for FOBTs would be capped at £2 – a massive reduction from the previous £100 limit.
