Plan to cap fixed betting machines at 拢30 'a cop out'

Video caption, 'I lost 拢15,000 in a day gambling on FOBTs'

A recommendation to cut maximum stakes on fixed odds betting terminals (FOTB) at 拢30 rather than 拢2 has been called a "cop out" by a Swansea MP.

Carolyn Harris, who runs the all-party parliamentary group for FOTB, said the machines were "as captivating as heroin" and criticised the decision.

The UK government is expected to make a decision on the Gambling Commission's advice in the coming weeks.

The Welsh Government has "strongly urged" Westminster impose a 拢2 cap.

People can currently bet up to 拢100 every 20 seconds on electronic casino games, such as roulette and blackjack, meaning gamblers can lose up to 拢1,500 every five minutes on a machine.

Terry White, from Barry, has lost a total of 拢250,000 on FOTBs and once lost 拢41,000 in a single day on the machines.

He said he was "worried" the changes did not go far enough and said "even at 拢30 a spin you can still do a lot of damage very quickly".

Video caption, Carolyn Harris: "They are built entirely to be captivating - just like heroin is captivating"

The Gambling Commission has advised the maximum stake be cut to 拢30, but Ms Harris, MP for Swansea East, said the recommendation was "disappointing".

"I think it's a bit of a cop out if I'm honest, they're covering their own backs.

"The Gambling Commissioner hasn't shown any backbone. It's really, really short sighted and taking the coward's way out.

"They have a history of not being very strong when they come up against the bookies."

'Public concern'

The Welsh Government has also campaigned for machines to be capped at 拢2 per spin.

A spokesman said: "Addiction to gambling can have a serious impact on individuals and their families.

"We strongly urge the UK government to take action, resist the pressure from the industry and significantly reduce the maximum stake for category B2 gaming machines."

But the Association of British Bookmakers has claimed that a 拢30 maximum stake would cost the industry 10,000 jobs, and lead to 2,100 betting shops closing.

"We fully understand that there is public concern and that there will be a stake cut to reduce the levels of losses on machines in betting shops," it said after the Gambling Commission's announcement.

"In the interim, we remain committed to introducing further measures to address problem gambling and will continue to work with all interested parties."