UK’s Labour Party wants to restrict FOTBs

Britain’s opposition Labour Party leader Ed Miliband has again nailed his colours to the mast on the question of retail betting shop approvals and the restriction of Fixed Odds Betting Terminal numbers.

UK media reports have carried Miliband’s view that local councils should be given powers to rid their communities of FOBTs and decide whether new betting shops in their areas were desirable.

The Labour Party said it would amend planning and gambling laws to enable councils in England, Scotland and Wales to curb the spread of betting shops and to review the number of high-speed, high-stakes FOBTs allowed on their premises – including banning them altogether.

The party also wants to legislate to increase the time between plays on FOBTs, introduce pop-ups warning players how long they have been playing and how much they have lost, and imposing regular breaks in play.

Miliband said recently that the current limit of four FOBTs in any one betting shop, had simply led to “clusters” of shops opening together, often operating from 7.30am to 10pm, with councils powerless to act.

“In towns and cities across Britain today, you can see how the old bookies are being turned into mini casinos,” he said.

“In the poorest areas, these are spreading like an epidemic along high streets with the pawn shops and pay day lenders that are becoming symbols of Britain’s cost of living crisis.

“This has huge consequences for our communities, causing debt and misery for families, and often acting as a magnet for crime and anti-social behaviour. But currently, there is almost nothing that can be done to stop the spread of FOBTs.

“The time has come to give local communities the right to pull the plug on these machines – the right to decide if they want their high streets to be the place for high stakes, high speed, high cost gambling.”

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