As the Advertiser went to press on Wednesday, December 17, elected members of Argyll and Bute Council’s Planning, Protective Services, and Licensing committee were set to review the local authority’s gambling policy, particularly in relation to Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBT).

Councillors were expected to consider a number of potential actions as a means of ‘mitigating the potential negative impact’ of FOBT in Argyll and Bute.

One option included requesting that the council lobby the UK Government to establish a regulatory link between problem gambling and public health; reduce the maximum number of FOBT in betting shops; and establishing a role for the council or Gambling Commission to carry out an inspection of the machines.

There are thought to be around 11 licensed betting premises with approximately 40 FOBT in Argyll and Bute. These gambling machines allow players to bet on the outcome of various games and events with fixed odds. They are usually touch screen operated and cover a variety of games; ranging from casino games such as roulette, Poker, and Black Jack, to electronic slot games and virtual racing.

Regarding the addictive nature of the machines, the council report claims customers can bet up to £100 per spin every 20 seconds on casino games – no other gaming machine allows such high-speed, high-stake play.

A spokesman for the Campaign for Fairer Gambling told the Advertiser councils are currently ‘powerless’ to act against FOBTs, especially in Scotland where power over them is reserved to Westminster.

He added that Labour and the SNP are uniting to take action and 93 councils in England have also submitted a motion to the government calling for the stakes to be capped at £2 per spin.

The spokesman said: “This report looking at FOBTs couldn’t be more timely as new research last week revealed that over a third of those who play these high stake machines exhibit signs of problem gambling.

“Argyll and Bute Council shouldn’t be deterred from acting against FOBTs by the bookmakers responsible gambling measures – they have now been shown to be completely ineffective, just as our campaign stated when they were first launched.

He added: “Though a council may not yet have the powers to implement this, passing a motion calling for a cut in stakes will put pressure on Westminster to act – and that pressure is building rapidly. Argyll and Bute can add to that pressure.” Other options to be considered by members of the PPSL committee include requesting that the council lobby the Scottish Government to consider applying their devolved powers to reduce the impact of gambling on communities; commission independent research on the use and impact of the FOBT; or request the council to implement arrangements to support the work of existing advice agencies.

In response to criticism, the Association of British Bookmakers has introduced a facility for customers to set time and money limits when using FOBT.

Then, in April of this year, the UK government set out plans for improved player protection measures, including: measure to ensure customer pay over the counter when betting more than £50; setting limits at the start of play; the introduction of customer accounts; gambling warning messages; and a strengthening of the voluntary self-exclusion system so that players can make a single request to be banned from betting shops on a wider basis.