fobt is the acronym for fixed odds betting terminals

FOBT is the acronym for Fixed Odds Betting Terminals. These are electronic gambling machines, many of which incorporate touch screen technology. In the UK they are to be found in casinos and betting shops. First introduced in 2001 in licensed betting shops, they have been identified as an increasing source of addiction for gamblers. In 2007 was reported that 11.2% of gambling addicts had problems with FOBTs.

In 2009, Gamcare, a registered charity which provides support, information and advice to anyone suffering through a gambling problem, reported that the number of people seeking help for addiction to FOBTs is still increasing.

On FOBTs you can bet any amount from £1 to £100 and the machines can offer up to six types of games such as poker, blackjack, and the most popular of all, roulette. The game of roulette offers the speed of a fruit machine, but with higher payments and the fixed odds of the roulette table. No doubt many addicts thinking they can beat the machine by calculating the odds or next number due to come up.

Gamcare identify that an additional problem with the machines is that you do not receive cash immediately like a fruit machine. Instead you print out a ticket and have to take it to the betting shop counter to cash it in. Thus the gambler is tempted then to use the money to bet on a horse race.

Gamcare argue that with both machines and horse race betting in the one place, it is easier for the gambler to loose money. Boredom is often seen as one of the causes of gambling, and in the betting shop waiting for the next race, what easier way is there to fill in time than by using a FOBT?

Betting shops owners report that the machines are now an important source of revenue, especially for betting shops where poor weather can often mean that a day’s racing is cancelled. The return for one machine in a betting shop is between 2 and 3 percent. Owners of the machine have a social responsibility imposed under the Gambling Act 2005 and the Gambling Commission’s principal code of practice. More information on this can be found on the Gambling Commission website

Gambling addiction causes many financial and social problems. For advice on gambling problems contact Gamcare.