Fixed Odds Betting Machines
The Government today made clear its position on the increasing number of fixed odds betting machines being installed in betting shops. These machines can enable customers to play virtual casino games for prizes up to £50,000.
Richard Caborn, the Minister with responsibility for gambling, confirmed in a statement to Parliament the Government's plan is to introduce new legislation which will be drafted in such a way that these betting machines will be brought within the relevant controls for gaming machines.
The statement was made as the Gaming Board of Great Britain and the Association of British Bookmakers have agreed to the bringing of a test case to clarify the status of fixed odds betting machines under the existing law.
Commenting on the forthcoming case Richard Caborn said:
"While it would not be appropriate to comment on the merits or possible outcome of such legal proceedings we welcome any action which will bring certainty to this issue so far as the present law is concerned.
"We take the view that the uncontrolled proliferation of high-prize machine gaming on the high street risks seriously increasing problem gambling."
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The full text of the statement is set out below:
"The Government has noted with concern the increasing installation in licensed betting offices of machines, described as fixed odds betting machines, which enable customers to play virtual casino games for prizes up to £50,000.
"The present law allows only two gaming machines in any betting office, offering maximum prizes of £25. Under the Government's proposals for reform of the laws on gambling in Great Britain, published in A safe bet for success (Cm 5397), betting offices would be able to install up to four gaming machines with a maximum prize of £500. Cm 5397 also noted the appearance of betting machines, pointing out that they have many of the characteristics which justify controls over gaming machines.
"The Government understands that the Gaming Board for Great Britain and the Association of British Bookmakers have agreed to the bringing of a test case to clarify the status of fixed odds betting machines under the existing law. While it would not be appropriate to comment on the merits or possible outcome of such legal proceedings we welcome any action which will bring certainty to this issue so far as the present law is concerned.
"In order to make the position on future legislation clear for interested parties, I wish to confirm that the statement set out in 'A Safe Bet for Success' remains the Government's current policy. Therefore, our current plan is to introduce new legislation which will be drafted in such a way that those betting machines which in reality involve gaming will be brought within the relevant controls for gaming machines. We take the view that the uncontrolled proliferation of high-prize machine gaming on the high street risks seriously increasing problem gambling."
2. A Bill to modernise and reform the law on gambling in Great Britain is now in preparation. While of course no commitments as to timing can be given, it will be a possible candidate for inclusion in the 2003-04 Session
3. Machine gambling that involves virtual events generally falls within controls on gaming in other jurisdictions. The Bill will need to include a clear distinction between the use of machines in betting offices for gaming and other uses, including the more efficient placing of bets on horseracing and other sporting events
4. The statement does not directly affect the display in licensed betting offices of virtual races (such as Portman Park) on which bets may be taken at the counter.
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