Government blocks bid to cap gambling machine stakes

Newham argued that reducing the maximum stake would have the effect of preventing clusters of betting shops opening in deprived areas.

However, the government rejected the request, which was made under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007, saying that recent controls imposed on fixed-odds betting machines were  sufficient to enable bookmakers to monitor behaviour identify signs of problem gambling.  

New rules were introduced in April this year requiring anyone wanting to place a £50 stake on the machines to set up an account with a bookmaker or speak to staff. The government said the change will allow staff to monitor behaviour and act if they identify signs of problem gambling.  

Since the Gambling Act 2005 came into force in September 2007, fixed-odds betting machines have been classified as ‘B2 gaming machines’, and restricted to betting shops, tracks and casinos. The vast majority are located in betting shops, which are allowed no more than four in each premises.