U.K. Gambling Commission publishes advice on gaming machines and social responsibility measures

At the heart of the Gambling Commission's advice, is an aim to reduce the risks that consumers, especially those that are vulnerable, face from gambling. It makes it clear that action from Government, the Commission and operators is needed.

Recommendations from the report include:

• The FOBT (B2) slots stakes should be limited to £2
• The stake limit for FOBT (B2) non-slot games (which includes roulette) should be set at or below £30 if it is to have a significant effect on the potential for players to lose large amounts of money in a short space of time
• Banning the facility for machines to allow different categories of games to be played in a single session
• There is a strong case to make tracked play mandatory across machines categories (B1,B2,B3)
• Extending to category B1 and B3 machines the kinds of protections, such as player limits, that are in place on FOBT (B2 machines)
• Working with the industry and others on steps to make limit-setting more effective – this could include ending sessions when consumers reach time and money limits.

It is up to Government whether to implement the Commission’s recommendations which have been provided through a letter to the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

Gambling Commission Chief Executive Neil McArthur said: “We’ve put consumers at the heart of our advice – advice which is based on the best available evidence and is focussed on reducing the risk of gambling-related harm.’

“In our judgment, a stake cut for Fixed Odds Betting Terminals alone doesn’t go far enough to protect vulnerable people. That is why we have recommended a stake cut plus a comprehensive package of other measures to protect consumers.

“We have proposed actions that will tackle both the risk of harm and provide solutions that are sustainable in the longer term.”

Review of gaming machines and social responsibility measures – formal advice.