LISTEN: MSPs urged to restrict fixed odds betting terminals
MSPs are holding an inquiry on whether or not there should be tighter controls on fixed odds betting terminals in bookmakers
Council chiefs, campaigners and casino bosses are all calling on MSPs to tighten the rules of fixed odds betting machines in bookmakers.
They were all giving evidence at a Holyrood inquiry examining efforts to reduce the most anyone can bet in one go from £100 to just £2.
Convener of the Local Government and Regeneration Committee, Kevin Stewart, asked those giving evidence if the they thought the machines were either the “crack cocaine of gambling” or just a “harmless bit of fun”.
Andrew Lyman, group director of regulatory affairs at William Hill, told the committee that the problem is the person and not the product:
There is concern at how quickly people can lose money when using an “FOBT” with players able to bet £100 every 20 seconds meaning they could potentially be losing £300 a minute.
Campaigners say it can result in problem gamblers finding themselves thousands of pounds in debt – with many committing suicide as a result.
One such victim was Lee Murphy from Inverurie who lost £30k in just one year.
Chief Executive of Scotbet John Heaton was also giving evidence and dismissed claims bookies are putting profit before the wellbeing of people:
Much of the discussion focused on the support for problem gamblers, advertising and also the security of staff at bookmakers.
Simon Thomas, Chief Executive of Hippodrome Casino, told the inquiry that fixed odds betting terminals create an unsafe environment in bookmakers:
Among those calling for restrictions on how much someone can bet at any one time is Matt Zarb-Cousin from the Campaign for Fairer Gambling.
He told the inquiry that 37% of people who use the machines experiences harm.
He also told committee members about his own struggle with addiction: