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Church groups condemn plans to increase gambling machine prizes Church groups condemn plans to increase gambling machine prizes
(35 minutes later)
Church groups and campaigners have attacked the government over plans to increase the prizes on offer from gambling machines and for refusing to curb the rise of high-speed betting terminals in high-street bookmakers.Church groups and campaigners have attacked the government over plans to increase the prizes on offer from gambling machines and for refusing to curb the rise of high-speed betting terminals in high-street bookmakers.
Ministers have said that, after consulting widely, they believe it is clear the betting industry needs bigger prizes to stimulate the market and boost companies' bottom lines.Ministers have said that, after consulting widely, they believe it is clear the betting industry needs bigger prizes to stimulate the market and boost companies' bottom lines.
Publishing the triennial review of gaming machines, the government said it had decided not to proceed with a reduction in stakes or prizes on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs). With punters able to bet £100 every 20 seconds on these machines' casino games, FOBTs have been dubbed the crack cocaine of gambling.Publishing the triennial review of gaming machines, the government said it had decided not to proceed with a reduction in stakes or prizes on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs). With punters able to bet £100 every 20 seconds on these machines' casino games, FOBTs have been dubbed the crack cocaine of gambling.
There is also support for plans to increase the stake for electronic machines from £2 to £5 and the prize limit from £4,000 to £10,000. There is also potential for casinos to offer a linked progressive jackpot prize of up to £20,000.There is also support for plans to increase the stake for electronic machines from £2 to £5 and the prize limit from £4,000 to £10,000. There is also potential for casinos to offer a linked progressive jackpot prize of up to £20,000.
The Evangelical Alliance, which represents church groups, said it was a "missed opportunity to tackle the scourge of fixed-odds betting terminals in betting shops across the country. The high stakes mean vast amounts can be lost quickly and the power of local authorities to control the spread of betting shops is very limited."The Evangelical Alliance, which represents church groups, said it was a "missed opportunity to tackle the scourge of fixed-odds betting terminals in betting shops across the country. The high stakes mean vast amounts can be lost quickly and the power of local authorities to control the spread of betting shops is very limited."
FOBTs are seen as vital for the bookmaking industry to survive and last year contributed £1.4bn to gross profit. According to the Gambling Commission, there are 33,284 FOBTs across the UK and each generated an average weekly profit in 2012 of £825, up from £760 in 2011.FOBTs are seen as vital for the bookmaking industry to survive and last year contributed £1.4bn to gross profit. According to the Gambling Commission, there are 33,284 FOBTs across the UK and each generated an average weekly profit in 2012 of £825, up from £760 in 2011.
Meanwhile the number of betting shops in the UK has increased from 8,500 to 9,100 over the past two years, with hundreds more planned. Meanwhile, the number of betting shops in the UK has increased from 8,500 to 9,100 over the past two years, with hundreds more planned.
In response to the review, Danny Webster of the Evangelical Alliance said: "The government have gone ahead and done the gambling industry's bidding once again. The only sure-fire bet in this business is that profit will take priority over protecting the poorest.In response to the review, Danny Webster of the Evangelical Alliance said: "The government have gone ahead and done the gambling industry's bidding once again. The only sure-fire bet in this business is that profit will take priority over protecting the poorest.
"This was a chance to co-ordinate regulation in a way that put player protection at the heart of gambling policy; instead it is a missed opportunity.""This was a chance to co-ordinate regulation in a way that put player protection at the heart of gambling policy; instead it is a missed opportunity."
Adrian Parkinson, a spokesman for the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, said the government had kicked the issue of FOBTs into the long grass, with ministers promising that another review in 18 months would consider the evidence of the potentially harmful, addictive effects of the machines.Adrian Parkinson, a spokesman for the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, said the government had kicked the issue of FOBTs into the long grass, with ministers promising that another review in 18 months would consider the evidence of the potentially harmful, addictive effects of the machines.
Parkinson said: "There remains a serious case to answer in relation to the potential harm caused by these gaming machines and we consider their future to be unresolved pending further work, which is already under way."Parkinson said: "There remains a serious case to answer in relation to the potential harm caused by these gaming machines and we consider their future to be unresolved pending further work, which is already under way."
The Association of British Bookmakers said it believed there was "no empirical evidence that gaming machines cause problem gambling [but] recognises that further research is needed".The Association of British Bookmakers said it believed there was "no empirical evidence that gaming machines cause problem gambling [but] recognises that further research is needed".
A spokesman added: "The betting industry is firmly committed to responsible gambling and finding ways to minimise gambling-related harm. As we have always said, one problem gambler is one too many."A spokesman added: "The betting industry is firmly committed to responsible gambling and finding ways to minimise gambling-related harm. As we have always said, one problem gambler is one too many."
Ministers said the government wanted to support "the gambling sector but is very clear that growth cannot be pursued at any cost".Ministers said the government wanted to support "the gambling sector but is very clear that growth cannot be pursued at any cost".
The minister for sport and equalities Helen Grant said: "Our response acknowledges gambling's contribution to the economy but balances this with explicit recognition of the need to protect players, particularly at the higher-end stakes." The minister for sport and equalities, Helen Grant, said: "Our response acknowledges gambling's contribution to the economy but balances this with explicit recognition of the need to protect players, particularly at the higher-end stakes."
Labour said the government had missed an opportunity to give "local authorities the powers that they need to restrict the clustering of betting shops close to areas with high levels of deprivation".Labour said the government had missed an opportunity to give "local authorities the powers that they need to restrict the clustering of betting shops close to areas with high levels of deprivation".
A report by the Local Government Association earlier this year found half the public were concerned about betting shops. In particular, councils highlighted the ease at which empty retail outlets can be taken over by this type of operator.A report by the Local Government Association earlier this year found half the public were concerned about betting shops. In particular, councils highlighted the ease at which empty retail outlets can be taken over by this type of operator.
Clive Efford MP, the shadow minister for sport, said: "The government states that it recognises the problem but is failing to act.Clive Efford MP, the shadow minister for sport, said: "The government states that it recognises the problem but is failing to act.
"It should also accept that betting shops must be placed in their own planning use class to allow local authorities to consider whether new shops are desirable.""It should also accept that betting shops must be placed in their own planning use class to allow local authorities to consider whether new shops are desirable."
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