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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Government to review 'fixed-odds' gambling machines | Government to review 'fixed-odds' gambling machines |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The government is to review gambling machines amid concerns they may harm vulnerable people. | The government is to review gambling machines amid concerns they may harm vulnerable people. |
| As many as 600,000 people in the UK may take part in "problem gambling", said culture, media and sport minister Tracey Crouch. | As many as 600,000 people in the UK may take part in "problem gambling", said culture, media and sport minister Tracey Crouch. |
| The review will take a "close look" at fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) - now common on high streets - and children's access to gambling. | The review will take a "close look" at fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) - now common on high streets - and children's access to gambling. |
| Labour welcomed the review, saying it was "long overdue." | Labour welcomed the review, saying it was "long overdue." |
| The Gambling Commission, which regulates the industry, said it was an "excellent opportunity" for all those with an interest in gambling to have their say. | |
| Government figures suggest the industry employs around 100,000 people in the UK and contributed more than £10bn to the economy last year. | |
| But, amid concern over associated social problems, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport-led review will assess its impact on individuals and communities. | But, amid concern over associated social problems, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport-led review will assess its impact on individuals and communities. |
| Fixed odds betting terminals | Fixed odds betting terminals |
| This will include working out measures to protect children and vulnerable people from the impact of gambling advertising. | This will include working out measures to protect children and vulnerable people from the impact of gambling advertising. |
| It will also look at FOBTs, users of which risk losing hundreds of pounds in minutes as they involve simple games like roulette, played at a fast pace. | It will also look at FOBTs, users of which risk losing hundreds of pounds in minutes as they involve simple games like roulette, played at a fast pace. |
| The review will consider the current maximum stake of £100 is acceptable, as well as the value of prizes offered by the machines. | The review will consider the current maximum stake of £100 is acceptable, as well as the value of prizes offered by the machines. |
| Ms Crouch said: "It is important that gambling regulations strike the right balance between allowing the industry to contribute to the economy and enable people to bet responsibly whilst ensuring consumers and communities are protected." | Ms Crouch said: "It is important that gambling regulations strike the right balance between allowing the industry to contribute to the economy and enable people to bet responsibly whilst ensuring consumers and communities are protected." |
| Labour's culture spokesman Tom Watson said: "The government has finally woken up to the fact that it has not done enough to curtail the proliferation of FOBTs, which are now a blight on many of our high streets. | Labour's culture spokesman Tom Watson said: "The government has finally woken up to the fact that it has not done enough to curtail the proliferation of FOBTs, which are now a blight on many of our high streets. |
| "They can cause real and lasting damage to gamblers and they have become a huge problem for communities that are often struggling to cope with under-investment and high unemployment." | "They can cause real and lasting damage to gamblers and they have become a huge problem for communities that are often struggling to cope with under-investment and high unemployment." |
| In the review's call for evidence, the government singles out FOBTs as a cause for concern, saying it will welcome evidence on adjusting the number of machines allowed in a given location. | In the review's call for evidence, the government singles out FOBTs as a cause for concern, saying it will welcome evidence on adjusting the number of machines allowed in a given location. |
| The coalition government acted on betting machines in 2015, changing regulations to ensure that gamblers playing with stakes of £50 or more would have to load money into the machine via shop staff or by setting up an account. | The coalition government acted on betting machines in 2015, changing regulations to ensure that gamblers playing with stakes of £50 or more would have to load money into the machine via shop staff or by setting up an account. |
| Sarah Harrison, chief executive of the Gambling Commission, said: "We're very pleased that the review has been announced and that we have a clear timetable - it offers an excellent opportunity for all those with an interest in gambling to ensure their voices are heard. I would encourage any interested parties to share their views with government. | |
| "As the regulator of gambling in Britain and committed to keeping gambling fair, safe and crime-free, we will be submitting our advice to government in line with our statutory duties." |