‘CRACK’ BET MAX STAKE GETS CHOP

£100-a-time wagers cut

GAMBLING bosses want the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals cut to £30.

Punters can currently pump £100 every 20 seconds into the highly addictive casino-style games.

But campaigners, who claim FOBT machines are the “crack cocaine” of gambling, say the recommendation doesn’t go far enough. They want the limit cut to just £2, saying the games “blight lives”.

The £30 recommendation came from the Gambling Commission and is seen as a victory for high street bookies.

Betting industry insiders had warned that a £2 limit would force the closure of hundreds of bookies’ shops.

Labour MP Carolyn Harris said it was “outrageous” the commission was not “brave enough” to adopt the £2 limit.

And Labour deputy leader Tom Watson said: “This is a deeply disappointing report from the Gambling Commission, which appears to have caved in to industry pressure.

“Ministers must not use this report as a ® cover to maintain the status quo. These machines are the heart of the UK’s hidden epidemic of problem gambling.

“The Government must cut the stake to £2 on all FOBT machines, including the highly addictive roulette-style games.”

Labour MP David Lammy tweeted: “I sincerely hope the Government will now look at the evidence and cut maximum stakes to £2.

“For too long these machines have been ruining lives.”

The commission also wants to be able to track punters’ habits on the machines to help identify problem gambling. Time and loss limits have also been suggested.

Chief executive Neil McArthur said: “In our judgment, a stake cut for fixed-odds betting terminals alone doesn’t go far enough to protect vulnerable people.

“That is why we have recommended a stake cut plus a comprehensive package of other measures to protect consumers.”

A decision is due in the next few weeks.