Research by the Responsible Gambling Trust (RGT) into machine-related problem gambling has attracted criticism over claims from a number of parties that the reports favour the industry and ignore wider issues in the UK market.
Published yesterday (Monday), the reports suggest that it is possible to distinguish between problem and non-problem gambling behaviour in regards to gaming machines.
RGT said the research was undertaken to build the knowledge base available to identify harmful machine play and to better understand what measures might help limit harmful play without impacting those that do not exhibit harmful behaviour.
Conducted independently by experts in gambling behaviour and social research, the findings will be passed on to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the UK Gambling Commission to inform policy decisions they may decide to make in regards to these machines.
“When we started this programme there was no credible research into gaming machines in licensed betting offices,” RGT chief executive Marc Etches said.
“Our understanding of these machines and the way people use them is now greatly enhanced.
“We hope that everyone will consider carefully how the findings of this ground-breaking research can be used to help all gamblers to make better informed decisions and, in particular, to protect those that are vulnerable to gambling-related harm.”
Professor Alex Blaszczynski, chairman of the independent review panel that evaluated the research, added: “It is important to highlight the substantive and world-leading contribution to our understanding of problem gambling made by this research.
“This programme represents the first collaborative endeavour between multiple industry operators and independent researchers. It is of outstanding significance.”
However, the report has attracted criticism from some parties that have highlighted the risks such machines pose to problem gamblers.
Newham Council is currently leading a group of 92 other local councils in England that have petitioned the UK government to cut the maximum stakes on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) from £100 (€126/$157) to £2.
Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales has hit out at the reports and suggested that the research favours the industry, instead of addressing wider issues related to problem gambling.
He added: “It is clear that this report only has the interests of the industry at its heart.
“This report serves only to block any move that would hit the bookies where it hurts, on their bottom line. It does little to help problem gamblers, the communities they belong to or the nation’s high streets.
“The RGT’s own research acknowledges that high stakes impairs the decision making of players.
“So, there is no denying that reducing the maximum stake of B2 machines from £100 to £2 would have a substantial impact on problem gambling, support our communities and would give our high streets a fighting chance of surviving the blight of betting shops cause by these FOBTs.”
source : www.igamingbusiness.com
