Scottish Government to restrain FOBTs

Despite much of the legislation around the machines being reserved to the UK Government in Westminster, the Scottish Government has pledged to do what it can and hosted a summit earlier this year to consider how a planning policy could help tackle the problem of clustering betting shops.

Current laws allow punters to spend up to £300 (€376/$511) in one minute on the machines, which have been referred to as the ‘crack cocaine of gambling’ by those against FOBTs.

SNP politician Stuart McMillan spoke out against FOBTs earlier this year and is now backing the Scottish Government in its decision to take action against the machines.

“FOBTs blight communities across Scotland – with absolutely disastrous social and economic consequences,” McMillan said.

“I am pleased that the Scottish Government has listened to the concerns raised at the summit and look forward to hearing the full details of plans to tackle the problem.Westminster significantly liberalised gambling regulations in 2005 – and while the UK Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Bill is a step in the right direction, it is a very limited one.

“Until Scotland becomes independent the powers of regulating gambling ultimately rest with Westminster – so the UK Government must act now to protect people and families whose lives are being ruined by these machines,”McMillan concluded.