Paisley politician supports bets cut

A Paisley politician has praised moves to reduce the stakes of fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs), after the UK government announced its committment to cutting the maximum stake to £2 in 2019.

As reported in the Express last year, over £6million was lost on FOBTs in Renfrewshire during 2016.

SNP MSP Derek Mackay has backed the governent’s decicions to introduce the £2 FOBT maximum stake and bring it forward to April next year.

He said “I am glad the Tory government has finally come to its senses and will bring forward the changes to cap the limit on these machines from April.

“FOBT games such as roulette are linked to gambling addiction, debt and family breakdowns.

“It has been one of the biggest social issues of the past decade in Scotland.”

Cur rently there are approximately 150 FOBTs spread across Renfrewshire’s 40 betting shops.

The power to legislate on the regulation of gambling, including the power to change the limits on the machines, remains largely reserved to the UK government.

In December 2016 the Scottish government brought forward new legislation, meaning anyone intending to change the use of a premises to a betting shop is now likely to have to apply to their local planning authority for permission.

Previously, some shops or services on the high street could easily be transformed into betting offices without needing any planning permission.

Mr Mackay added: “It’s imperative that we go further, such as tackling the link between young people and gambling and the easy availability of online gambling.”