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Labour to force vote on curbing bookies' fixed odds machines Labour to force vote on curbing bookies' fixed-odds machines
(1 day later)
Labour is to force a vote in Parliament on its plans to give councils the power to ban high-stakes roulette machines from bookmakers' shops. Labour will force a vote in Parliament later on its plans to give councils the power to ban high-stakes roulette machines from bookmakers' shops.
Ed Miliband has said so-called fixed odds betting terminals - where punters can bet up to £300 a minute - are "spreading like an epidemic". Leader Ed Miliband has said so-called fixed-odds betting terminals - where punters can bet up to £300 a minute - are "spreading like an epidemic".
He has vowed to amend planning laws in England, Scotland and Wales to curb their growth if Labour regains power.He has vowed to amend planning laws in England, Scotland and Wales to curb their growth if Labour regains power.
But ministers said the last government had allowed their proliferation.But ministers said the last government had allowed their proliferation.
Labour will use an opposition day debate in the Commons on Wednesday to press the coalition government for action over the issue. They dismissed Mr Miliband's demand for a vote as "opportunistic".
There are over 33,000 fixed odds betting terminals machines making £1.5bn each year for the big bookmakers - about half their annual profits. Labour will use an opposition day debate in the Commons to press the coalition government for action over the issue.
There are more than 33,000 fixed-odds betting terminals making £1.5bn each year for the big bookmakers - about half their annual profits.
'Debt and misery''Debt and misery'
Labour has said some players are addicted to them and they are causing "debt and misery", as well as acting as a magnet for crime and anti-social behaviour.Labour has said some players are addicted to them and they are causing "debt and misery", as well as acting as a magnet for crime and anti-social behaviour.
The last Labour government relaxed the gambling laws, allowing bookmakers to start installing fixed odds betting terminals machines. The last Labour government relaxed the gambling laws, allowing bookmakers to start installing fixed-odds betting terminals.
But the party has accused the gambling industry of exploiting those changes to target poorer parts of the country.But the party has accused the gambling industry of exploiting those changes to target poorer parts of the country.
Last month Mr Miliband said the current limit of four per betting shop, had simply led to "clusters" of shops opening together, with councils powerless to act. Last month Mr Miliband said the current limit of four per betting shop had simply led to "clusters" of shops opening together, with councils powerless to act.
He said a future Labour government would legislate to put betting shops in a separate use class so that councils could use planning powers to control the number opening in their area. He said a future Labour government would legislate to put betting shops in a separate use class, so that councils could use planning powers to control the number opening in their area.
At the moment they are in the same class as banks.At the moment they are in the same class as banks.
'Mini-casinos''Mini-casinos'
The party would also review the number of high-speed, high-stakes fixed odds betting terminals allowed on bookmakers' premises - including allowing councils to ban them altogether. Labour said it would also review the number of high-speed, high-stakes fixed-odds betting terminals allowed on bookmakers' premises - including allowing councils to ban them altogether.
And it would take steps to make the machines less addictive by requiring pop-ups and breaks in play.And it would take steps to make the machines less addictive by requiring pop-ups and breaks in play.
Labour's Clive Efford accused the government of "posturing" over the issue rather taking action. Labour MP Clive Efford accused the government of "posturing" over the issue rather than taking action.
"Across the country, traditional bookies are being turned into mini-casinos," he said."Across the country, traditional bookies are being turned into mini-casinos," he said.
"If the Tories and Lib Dems refuse to back Labour's proposals they'll have to answer why they are standing up for the large betting companies rather than communities across the country.""If the Tories and Lib Dems refuse to back Labour's proposals they'll have to answer why they are standing up for the large betting companies rather than communities across the country."
MPs have previously rejected calls from Labour to reduce the maximum stake from £100 to £2 and to cut the top prize from the current £500.MPs have previously rejected calls from Labour to reduce the maximum stake from £100 to £2 and to cut the top prize from the current £500.
'Evidence''Evidence'
The government has not ruled out taking action to cut the stakes and prizes on fixed odds betting terminals machines. The government has not ruled out taking action to cut the stakes and prizes on fixed-odds betting terminal machines.
But they say it is appropriate to wait for the outcome of a study into what harm is being caused to individual players due to report later this year. But they say it is appropriate to wait for the outcome of a study into what harm is being caused to individual players, due later this year.
Culture minister Helen Grant said any problems with fixed odds betting terminals "should be laid at Labour's door". Culture minister Helen Grant said "This is yet more opportunistic nonsense from Labour."
"In 2000, these machines did not exist," she said. "By the time of the last general election there were over 30,000." She added: "Any concerns about fixed-odds betting machines should be laid firmly at Labour's door. In 2000, these machines did not exist - by the time of the last general election there were over 30,000."
Councils already had powers to tackle the proliferation of betting shops and deal with individual premises causing problems, she added.Councils already had powers to tackle the proliferation of betting shops and deal with individual premises causing problems, she added.
"This government is undertaking the biggest ever study into the effect of these machines and have made clear that we will not hesitate to take action if the evidence points in that direction.""This government is undertaking the biggest ever study into the effect of these machines and have made clear that we will not hesitate to take action if the evidence points in that direction."
The gambling industry says there is no hard evidence of claims of addiction and has promised a new code of conduct to allow players to limit their own stakes.The gambling industry says there is no hard evidence of claims of addiction and has promised a new code of conduct to allow players to limit their own stakes.