{"id":7215,"date":"2018-05-18T16:41:14","date_gmt":"2018-05-18T16:41:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legitgambling.com\/news\/?p=7215"},"modified":"2018-05-18T16:41:14","modified_gmt":"2018-05-18T16:41:14","slug":"uk-bookies-to-be-impacted-by-decision-to-limit-fixed-odds-betting-terminals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legitgambling.com\/news\/uk-bookies-to-be-impacted-by-decision-to-limit-fixed-odds-betting-terminals\/","title":{"rendered":"UK Bookies To Be Impacted By Decision To Limit FOBTs"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Fixed-odds betting terminals<\/strong> (FOBTs) in the United Kingdom<\/a> have just been hit by a crippling blow as the government mandates a maximum stake of \u00a32 on each machine<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

The UK Culture Secretary Matt Hancock<\/strong> said that the government decided to crack down on FOBTs despite the warnings of those in the betting industry. <\/p>\n

This was met by the industry announcing that around 21,000 people would be losing their jobs because of the decision.<\/p>\n

The UK Gambling Commission<\/a> (UKGC) had earlier recommended a limit of \u00a330 or less<\/strong>. This was a reasonable amount for the non-slot machine FOBT games, which featured games like roulette. However, the government decided to be a lot harsher and bring it down to \u00a32.<\/p>\n

Right now, users can gamble up to \u00a3100 every 20 seconds on FOBTs<\/strong>. According to those campaigning against FOBT\u2019s, these machines can be dangerously addictive and can result in people losing a lot of money on them.<\/p>\n

In a statement, Mr. Hancock said <\/p>\n

When faced with the choice of halfway measures or doing everything we can to protect vulnerable people, we have chosen to take a stand. These machines are a social blight<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The harsh \u00a32 limit is actually the best that the government can do besides an outright ban. Even setting the maximum at \u00a310 would still leave gambling addicts a chance to potentially devastate their finances. By reducing the stake to a more affordable \u00a32, even if the gambler keeps on betting, it would take a long time before it becomes financially damaging.<\/p>\n

Many people expressed pleasure at the very harsh limit placed on FOBTs, as they believe these measures will now help problem gamblers and stop families from being damaged from gambling addictions.<\/p>\n

5 News<\/strong><\/p>\n

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