£5billion
cost of gamblers’ slot machine addiction
Gamblers staked almost £5billion on controversial high stakes slot machines in Scotland last year.
According to new figures, the total amount wagered on the casino-type fixed odds betting terminals (FOBT) in 2015 was £ 4.9billion, up from £ 3.4billion the previous 12 months.
The machines, dubbed the crack cocaine of gambling, allow punters to bet up to £100 every 20 seconds on computer-generated versions of casino games.
The controversy over FOBTs prompted the Westminster government to announce an inquiry on Friday.
The figures from the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, based on industry data, showed that in Scotland the amount lost last year on the machines was £ 171million, up from £158million the previous year.
Gamblers put £854million into FOBTs and staked £ 4.9billion, which includes cash they won on the machines and subsequently gambled. The figure is almost the equivalent of £1000 for every person in Scotland. Scotland has around 37,000 problem gamblers. Last year we revealed how one man took his life after blowing a fortune on the high stakes machines. Lee Mur phy, 37, commi t ted suicide after losing up to £30,000 in a year on the machines – once gambling a month’s wages in a couple of hours. His partner Wendy Bendel has taken part in a Panorama investigation into the machines, which will be shown on BBC1 tomorrow. Campaigners have called for a £2 cap on stakes in a bid to help curb problem gambling. Adrian Parkinson, of the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, said: “Wendy’s story is utterly tragic but sadly not uncommon and, while gambling in all forms can be dangerous, there is clearly something inherently wrong with FOBTs.
“Panorama looks set to reveal more disturbing evidence of the harm these machines can cause.
“Our latest estimates of FOBT gambling show a continued rapid growth in losses with the bookmakers now deploying new game content that entices players into what they call ‘ low stake games’ that suddenly introduce the player to stakes of up to £100 a spin.
“With David Cameron failing to take the ‘proper look’ he promised, it falls now to Theresa May to tackle the blight of FOBTs.”
An Association of British Bookmakers spokesman said: “We’ll continue to work with the government, Gambling Commission and charities on measures that will help problem gamblers.”
There is clearly something inherently wrong with FOBTs