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| Councils' bid to reduce gambling machine stakes cap rejected | |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| The government has rejected a bid by 93 councils in England and Wales to have the maximum bet on some gambling machines significantly reduced. | The government has rejected a bid by 93 councils in England and Wales to have the maximum bet on some gambling machines significantly reduced. |
| The local authorities wanted the highest stake on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) cut from £100 to £2. | The local authorities wanted the highest stake on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) cut from £100 to £2. |
| Newham Council, which led the campaign, said the move would help prevent clusters of betting shops, particularly in deprived areas. | Newham Council, which led the campaign, said the move would help prevent clusters of betting shops, particularly in deprived areas. |
| But the government said it had already introduced stronger controls. | |
| The proposal had been submitted under legislation which allows councils to urge central government to change the law to help them promote the "sustainability of local communities". | The proposal had been submitted under legislation which allows councils to urge central government to change the law to help them promote the "sustainability of local communities". |
| It is expected councils will appeal against the decision. | |
| Problem gambling | Problem gambling |
| There has been a significant rise in the amount of money gambled using FOBTs in recent years. | There has been a significant rise in the amount of money gambled using FOBTs in recent years. |
| Between October 2013 and September 2014, £1.6bn was gambled using the machines, up from £1.3bn in 2010-11, according to the Gambling Commission. | Between October 2013 and September 2014, £1.6bn was gambled using the machines, up from £1.3bn in 2010-11, according to the Gambling Commission. |
| Newham Council has said it is possible to bet up to £18,000 in an hour using them. | Newham Council has said it is possible to bet up to £18,000 in an hour using them. |
| Earlier this year, new rules were introduced which mean anyone wanting to place a £50 stake on the machines has to interact with staff or set up an account with a bookmaker. | Earlier this year, new rules were introduced which mean anyone wanting to place a £50 stake on the machines has to interact with staff or set up an account with a bookmaker. |
| The government said the change will allow staff to monitor behaviour and act if they identify signs of problem gambling. | The government said the change will allow staff to monitor behaviour and act if they identify signs of problem gambling. |
| 'More powers' | 'More powers' |
| A government spokesman said: "We do not support Newham Council's proposal as we have already acted by introducing stronger gambling controls to further protect players and promote responsible gambling, in April. | A government spokesman said: "We do not support Newham Council's proposal as we have already acted by introducing stronger gambling controls to further protect players and promote responsible gambling, in April. |
| "This includes putting an end to unsupervised stakes above £50 on FOBTs and giving more powers to local authorities to stop new betting shops opening up in their areas. | "This includes putting an end to unsupervised stakes above £50 on FOBTs and giving more powers to local authorities to stop new betting shops opening up in their areas. |
| "The government will continue to monitor the effectiveness of existing controls and will take further action if necessary." | "The government will continue to monitor the effectiveness of existing controls and will take further action if necessary." |
| The Campaign for Fairer Gambling, which supports a lower maximum stake, said: "Councils are the ones who know the impact of FOBTs in their areas." | The Campaign for Fairer Gambling, which supports a lower maximum stake, said: "Councils are the ones who know the impact of FOBTs in their areas." |
| A spokesman for the Association of British Bookmakers said the industry was committed to "responsible gambling measures". | |
| Any rule changes should be "based on facts and evidence", he added. |