The gambling machines known as the “crack-cocaine” of the gambling world could begin appearing in motorway service stations and amusement arcades.
The gambling machines known as the “crack-cocaine” of the gambling world may start appearing in motorway services and amusement arcades.
The machines which are highly addictive allow bets of £100 every twenty seconds.
Campaigners are outraged at the plans to spread fixed odds betting terminals. The machines are currently only allowed in betting shops, where they generate vast amounts of revenue for bookmakers.
As Two Little Fleas have previously reported, one betting shop owner, Mike Simons, 53, was so distressed at seeing the results of addiction to these machines that he has called on the government to ban them. One of Mr Simons’ clients killed himself after becoming addicted to fixed odds betting terminals, while another punter also tried to take his own life.
Speaking about the machines, he said: “They can kill. They’re as bad as the worst kind of drug.
“That’s why they’re called the crack cocaine of gambling. People who use them just can’t stop.”
Around the UK, the fixed odds betting terminals have been linked to gambling addiction, misery and antisocial behaviour.
This week, in a dramatic U-turn, BACTA – which is the trade body that represents parts of the gambling industry – is now demanding that its members must have the freedom to install and operate the fixed odds terminal betting machines. This has enraged gambling campaigners.
Adrian Parkinson, a spokesperson for the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, said: “The addictive nature of fixed odds betting terminals is what has made them so lucrative for betting shops. Now everyone else wants them.
“If the Government agrees to these demands we will see more fixed odds betting terminals on high streets.
“Even more worryingly, they could be in unmanned gaming at arcades on motorway service stations, so they would be easily accessible to children.”
The British newspaper, The Mirror reports today that, the BACTA has written to British politicians demanding that fixed odds betting terminals should be allowed in its adult-only gaming centres – including amusement arcades and bingo halls.
According to estimates, this would result in an extra 6,300 of the machines in this country.
Gambling campaigners are now warning that pubs will soon be calling for the right to have the touch screen roulette terminals.
Previously, BACTA had fought against the growth of the fixed odds betting terminals. So this week’s announcement comes as a surprise.
Mr Parkinson said that the group’s U-turn should be blamed on the Government’s failure to deal with the problem.
An internal BACTA memo states that “it is fair and reasonable” that the machines should be available to play in many more places than they are currently allowed. However, when asked to comment on the issue on Thursday, the organisation refused to comment.
A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said that “The rules around where fixed odds betting terminals can be based are very clear.
“And they will not be moving into other areas.”
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