UKGC makes recommendations for FOBT review

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has today (Monday) published a list of recommendations to support the government with its review of fixed-odd betting terminals (FOBTs).

The national regulatory body said at the heart of its advice is an aim to reduce the risks “consumers, especially those that are vulnerable, face from gambling”.

The UKGC said its advice also make its clear that action from the government, as well as operators and the UKGC itself, is required.

Key points from the recommendations include FOBT slot stakes to be limited to £2 (€2.27/$2.79), while non-slot games such as roulette should have a maximum stake of £30.

The UKGC said these limits should have a “significant effect on the potential for players to lose large amounts of money in a short space of time”.

Elsewhere, the UKGC has recommended a ban on a facility for machines to allow different categories of games to be played during a single session, while a strong case should be made for tracked play mandatory across machines categories for B1, B2 and B3 models.

Protections protocols on category B1 and B3 machines should also be extended to B2, FOBT models, while the UKGC has encouraged the government to work with the industry on steps to make limit-setting more effective, such as ending sessions when consumers reach time and money limits.

Neil McArthur, chief executive of the UKGC, 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 judgement, 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.”

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