Leaked Report Gives FOBTs Green Light

The Times has revealed that a leaked government report will rule in favour of bookmakers and the controversial fixed-odds betting terminals. According to the report Times, the report, compiled by the Association of British Bookmakers and commissioned by the DCMS is to be released next week and concludes that there is no relation between the introduction of the terminals at high street bookmakers throughout the UK, and an increase in problem gambling.

The big bookmakers, Ladbrokes, William Hill, Coral, Stanley Racing and the Tote have installed 15,000 of the machines and experts say that about £290m is being wagered on them each week. FOBT’s alone generate about 30% of William Hill’s earnings.

The report also states that the industry’s code of practice by is working. Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, is expected to announce later in the week that the FOBT’s will stay on ‘probation’ as well as another House of Lords review on the matter.