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Coalition MPs reject Labour's demands for crackdown on gambling machines Coalition MPs reject Labour's demands for crackdown on gambling machines
(about 13 hours later)
Labour demands for tighter controls on high-stakes gambling machines failed to win the support of coalition MPs on Wednesday night.Labour demands for tighter controls on high-stakes gambling machines failed to win the support of coalition MPs on Wednesday night.
The government won a Commons vote by 314 to 232, majority 82, in a vote on a Labour motion calling for local councils to be given the power to limit the number of high-stakes fruit machines.The government won a Commons vote by 314 to 232, majority 82, in a vote on a Labour motion calling for local councils to be given the power to limit the number of high-stakes fruit machines.
Labour had hoped some Liberal Democrat and Conservative MPs would rebel against the government and support their demands for further controls.Labour had hoped some Liberal Democrat and Conservative MPs would rebel against the government and support their demands for further controls.
Earlier in the day David Cameron said he "absolutely shares the concerns" of Ed Miliband over the spread of the high-speed, high-stakes gambling machines in Britain's high streets, indicating that the government will act after an industry-funded study reports this year.Earlier in the day David Cameron said he "absolutely shares the concerns" of Ed Miliband over the spread of the high-speed, high-stakes gambling machines in Britain's high streets, indicating that the government will act after an industry-funded study reports this year.
But the prime minister said he welcomed the opposition day debate on the issue, adding there were "problems in the betting and gambling industry", but that the government would wait for a key report – expected to be laid before parliament early this year – into the machines before taking action.But the prime minister said he welcomed the opposition day debate on the issue, adding there were "problems in the betting and gambling industry", but that the government would wait for a key report – expected to be laid before parliament early this year – into the machines before taking action.
The PM said he wanted to work together to address the issues raised by fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs), where people can wager £100 every 20 seconds.The PM said he wanted to work together to address the issues raised by fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs), where people can wager £100 every 20 seconds.
Critics have called the machines "the crack cocaine of gambling", arguing they lead to crime and addiction.Critics have called the machines "the crack cocaine of gambling", arguing they lead to crime and addiction.
Cameron blamed Labour for the rise of the machines, noting they were "introduced in 2001 after the [last] government had relaxed gambling regulations". The opposition said the FOBTs were "always on probation".Cameron blamed Labour for the rise of the machines, noting they were "introduced in 2001 after the [last] government had relaxed gambling regulations". The opposition said the FOBTs were "always on probation".
The Labour leader proposed handing new planning powers to councils, giving local authorities the power to reduce the number of FOBTs in betting shops – currently limited to four – and increasing the time between bets. He warned that the machines were "spreading like an epidemic".The Labour leader proposed handing new planning powers to councils, giving local authorities the power to reduce the number of FOBTs in betting shops – currently limited to four – and increasing the time between bets. He warned that the machines were "spreading like an epidemic".
In the later debate, the culture minister, Helen Grant, told MPs the future of FOBTs was unresolved and bookmakers must take immediate action to increase protection for players.In the later debate, the culture minister, Helen Grant, told MPs the future of FOBTs was unresolved and bookmakers must take immediate action to increase protection for players.
She said the government was waiting for the findings of a study into "how [the machines] are used and the real impact on players" before deciding what further action may be needed.She said the government was waiting for the findings of a study into "how [the machines] are used and the real impact on players" before deciding what further action may be needed.
Many parliamentarians voiced their concerns over FOBTs. Echoing the results of a Guardian investigation that revealed criminals are converting their loot into a clean win on electronic roulette tables, Labour MP Pat Glass said she knew of a "nasty crime family … who moved into drug dealing" in her constituency that were now "all over these machines".Many parliamentarians voiced their concerns over FOBTs. Echoing the results of a Guardian investigation that revealed criminals are converting their loot into a clean win on electronic roulette tables, Labour MP Pat Glass said she knew of a "nasty crime family … who moved into drug dealing" in her constituency that were now "all over these machines".
Tories also warned that the industry was on notice. Zac Goldsmith, the London Tory MP, tweeted: "It's hard to disagree with Labour's motion today to empower local authorities to decide re betting machines/bookies. Localism, surely?"Tories also warned that the industry was on notice. Zac Goldsmith, the London Tory MP, tweeted: "It's hard to disagree with Labour's motion today to empower local authorities to decide re betting machines/bookies. Localism, surely?"
Even Tories who supported the government warned that ministers may be waiting too long before acting against FOBTs.Even Tories who supported the government warned that ministers may be waiting too long before acting against FOBTs.
Initial results were expected in spring this year, but the full report would only come out in the autumn.Initial results were expected in spring this year, but the full report would only come out in the autumn.
Tracey Crouch, Tory MP for Chatham and Aylesford, said this would be "too long" to wait.Tracey Crouch, Tory MP for Chatham and Aylesford, said this would be "too long" to wait.
Jim Leech, the Lib Dem MP for Manchester Withington, said that if the industry failed to implement "player protection" measures by March, the government should reduce stakes and prizes. John Leech, the Lib Dem MP for Manchester Withington, said that if the industry failed to implement "player protection" measures by March, the government should reduce stakes and prizes.
Despite the consensus on the need to deal with fixed odds betting terminals, a row broke out over the prime minister's claim that "there are actually fewer of these machines now than there were when Labour were in office".Despite the consensus on the need to deal with fixed odds betting terminals, a row broke out over the prime minister's claim that "there are actually fewer of these machines now than there were when Labour were in office".
Tom Watson, the former Labour chair, blogged that in 2010/11 there were 32,832 machines and 33,209 at the end of March 2013.Tom Watson, the former Labour chair, blogged that in 2010/11 there were 32,832 machines and 33,209 at the end of March 2013.
In that time gross profit from FOBTs rose from £1.3bn to £1.5bn, with bookies clustering in poorer areas.In that time gross profit from FOBTs rose from £1.3bn to £1.5bn, with bookies clustering in poorer areas.
"It's very hard to say how the PM can make the claim there are fewer terminals today than when Labour was in office," he wrote."It's very hard to say how the PM can make the claim there are fewer terminals today than when Labour was in office," he wrote.
• This article was amended on 9 January 2014. An earlier version referred to the MP John Leech as Jim Leech.
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