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FOBT consultation welcome but not real action – Lib Dems

by Steve Beasant on 31 October, 2017

The maximum stake for fixed-odds betting terminals could drop to as little as £2 under a government review announced today. The government have launched a 12-week consultation exploring ways to reduce the risk of problem gambling.

Gambling campaigner and Liberal Democrat peer Tim Clement Jones, who had a Private Members’ Bill calling for a £2 maximum stake, said:

“The Liberal Democrats have been calling for the maximum stake to be reduced to £2 for nearly a decade and pressed the issue during the Coalition.

“We are glad that the government are finally addressing FOBTs, as these machines are highly damaging to some of society’s most vulnerable, but we need to know when real action will be taken, this consultation cannot be another attempt to push this issue into the long grass.”

Jane Bonham-Carter, Liberal Democrat Culture, Media & Sport Spokesperson, added:

“Problem gambling is wrecking lives and FOBTs allow people to lose hundreds of pounds in minutes, this is clearly a problem that needs fixing.

“This is a welcome step in the right direction but every day without serious action more lives are wrecked by the financial damage of gambling addiction.”

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