QAAD urges more action on gambling

QAAD welcomes government moves to reduces maximum bets on FOBTs

Quaker Action on Alcohol and Drugs (QAAD) has welcomed the government’s decision to reduce the maximum fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) stake from £100 to £2, but says ‘there is much work still to do’.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport opted for £2 after more than a year of argument between anti-FOBT groups and high street bookmakers, who derive a high percentage of their revenue from the machines.

Alison Mather, director of QAAD, told the Friend: ‘It is widely acknowledged that this measure alone will not resolve problem gambling. There is evidence that some providers are actively marketing alternative products and anticipate a growth in online business, which is already fifty per cent of the market.’

She added that she was pleased that the government is commissioning Public Health England to conduct a review of research into gambling-related harm.

---

Comments

Please login to add a comment