Our Campaign Against FOBTs

Work of the APPG on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals

Inquiry into Fixed Odds Betting Terminals – “Assessing the Impact”

As part of the APPG on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals’s campaign to raise awareness of the impact of FOBTs and the dire necessity of a £2 maximum stake for these machines (“Cut the Stake”)  the APPG conducted a number of inquiry sessions, which ultimately contributed to the publication of the “Fixed Odds Betting Terminals – Assessing the Impact” report. Please see below for the sessions of this inquiry.

Assessing the Impact people who have gambled – Wednesday 6 July 2016 – 10am

  • Previous FOBT Gamblers
  • Derek Webb – The Campaign for Fairer Gambling

Assessing the Impact on Local Communities – Wednesday 14th September – 2pm

  • Sir Robin Wales, Newham Council
  • Councillor Anita Lower, Local Government Association

Assessing the Impact on the Vulnerable – Thursday 13th October 2016 – 10.30am

  • Martin Kettle, Church of England
  • Dan Boucher, CARE
  • Helena Chambers, Quaker Action
  • Dirk Hanson, GamCare

Assessing the Impact on the Wider Gambling Industry – Tuesday 1st November – 10.30am

  • John White – Chief Executive, Bacta
  • Jason Frost – President, Bacta
  • Tracey  Damestani – Chief Executive, Casino Forum
  • Dennis Dowling – Member, National Casino Forum
  • Simon Thomas – Chief Executive, Hippodrome Casino
  • Fintan Drury – Former Chairman, Paddy Power

Assessing the Impact – The Policy and Regulatory Landscape – Wednesday 16th November – 2.30pm

  • Tracey Crouch, Minister for Sport Tourism and Heritage, The Department of Culture Media and Sport
  • Sarah Harrison, Chief Executive, Gambling Commission

Assessing the Impact – The Research Agenda – Tuesday 29th November – 10am

  • Kate Lampard, Chair, Gamble Aware
  • Marc Etches, Chief Executive, Gamble Aware
  • Sir Christopher Kelly, Chair, Responsible Gambling Strategy Board

Assessing the Impact – Experience from working with Bookmakers

  • Bill Bennett
  • Barry Phillips

Assessing the Impact – Academic Research – Tuesday 6th December – 10.30am

  • Stephen Sharman – University of Lincoln
  • Dr Sean Cowlishaw – University of Bristol
  • Dr Simon Dymond  – Swansea University
  • Prof Jim Orford – University of Birmingham
  • Peter Collins – University of Cape Town
  • Shannon Hanrahan, The Outcomes Group

Testimony from the Bookmakers – Wednesday 11th January, 10.30am (TBC)

  • BetFred (invited)
  • William Hill (invited)
  • Ladbrokes Coral (invited)
  • Paddy Power (invited)

Inquiry into Implementation and Delay of £2 Stake Limit

On the 17th May 2018 the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport announced that the stake on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals will be reduced to £2, a decision that the APPG very much welcomed. The Group was, however, deeply concerned to hear that implementation of this reduced stake may be delayed until 2020.

As a result the APPG  announced that it would hold an inquiry into implementation and the issues which may arise from a delay in implementing a £2 stake – please see below for the sessions of this inquiry.

Update from key stakeholders on the impact of a delayed implementation date – Wednesday 12th September 2018

Impact on Gambling Industry

  • Phil Horne – Chief Executive Officer of SG Gaming
  • Steve Collett – Chief Product Officer at Inspired Entertainment

Impact on Economy and society

  • Oliver Hogan – Chief Economist, Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR)
  • Howard Reed – Founder of Landman Economics
  • James Noyes – Associate at ResPublica, previously head of Policy and Strategy
  • George Anstey – Associate Director, NERA Economic Consulting

Impact on Communities

  • Cllr Simon Blackburn – Local Government Association
  • Martin Kettle – Policy Adviser to the Church of England

Update from Government on Gambling Review – Wednesday 5th September 

  • Tracey Crouch MP – Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Sport, Tourism and Heritage

Impact on Communities – Tuesday 17th July

  • Councillor Anita Lower – Local Government Association
  • Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz – Newham Borough Council

Impact on people and families – Tuesday 17th July 

  • Josephine Holloway
  • Liz Ritchie
  • Terry White

This inquiry has now concluded. Click here to download a copy of the APPG’s findings.

FOBT APPG – Evidence Inquiry for DCMS consultation response

On the 31st October 2017 the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport launched a consultation to examine the stakes and prizes of B2 Fixed Odds Betting Terminals, amongst other issues relating to gaming machines and social responsibility measures.

As part of the All-Party Group’s submission to the consultation the FOBT APPG launched an inquiry to engage with the evidence that had emerged since the publishing of the APPG’s report: Fixed Odds Betting – Assessing the Impact on 31st January 2017.

The sessions of this short inquiry were as follows:

Local Government & Society – Tuesday 21st November 

  • Sir Robin Wales, Mayor of Newham Council
  • Cllr Morris Bright, Local Government Association
  • Edward Davies, Centre for Social Justice

Academia and Think Tank – Wednesday 13th December 

  • University of South Wales
  • Institute of Economic Affairs
  • Respublica

Research and Faith Group representation – Wednesday 10th January 

  • Senet Group
  • Cebr
  • Church of England

Media Resources

A vast coalition came together to support a £2 stake on FOBTs – from Parliamentarians to the Church of England, charities and local  government.

Factsheet

You can read and download the fact sheet here: FOBTs the Facts