Gambling in Scotland less of a problem than levels of drinking and obesity
In his wide-ranging review of the gambling industry (Perspective, 4 May), Kenny Macaskill makes a number of valid points, but also repeats many of the misconceptions that have grown up around the industry and bookmakers in particular.
He is right to point out that betting shops have changed markedly and are no longer the austere, smoke-filled gambling dens of the past. They are modern, vibrant retail centres very much at the heart of the communities they serve. He is also correct in noting that the market has been transformed in recent years and that gambling has become more accessible, with more people betting and gaming online.
Despite the emergence of new forms of gambling, Mr Macaskill – like many commentators – focuses narrowly on fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTS) in betting shops, ignoring the 310,000 gaming machines found in pubs, arcades and casinos and many other popular gambling products such as the National Lottery and scratchcards. Gambling experts have warned that this narrow focus on FOBTS risks undermining efforts to tackle problem gambling.
Mr Macaskill suggests that FOBTS have been linked with increased gambling and debt problems, but provides no evidence to back up his claims. Presumably he is unaware of recent research by the independent Gambling Commission which showed that gamblers risk losing more of their money and are playing for longer on gaming machines in arcades than on FOBTS in betting shops. Crucially, the same research found there is no relationship between gaming machines in bookmakers and problem gambling.
FOBTS were introduced into betting shops more than 15 years ago. Since then, levels of problem gambling have remained static. Warnings of a growing crisis in problem gambling are simply not borne out by reality.
According to the latest Gambling Commission study, overall participation in gambling in Scotland increased from 64 per cent in 2014 to 68 per cent in 2015. But, crucially, the number of problem gamblers fell to 0.7 per cent in 2015.
Those statistics may be an inconvenient truth but they show very clearly that while more people are gambling and have more ways to gamble, problem gambling is low and in decline. By contrast, 26 per cent of adults in Scotland drink hazardous or harmless levels of alcohol and 29 per cent are obese.
The local bookie has been a mainstay of our high streets for over 55 years and makes a valuable contribution to Scotland’s economy. Mr Macaskill’s complaint that “bookies still stand on high streets when shops are closing all around them” is therefore somewhat alarming. Would he prefer to see those shops close and, if so, has he considered the economic impact of such a move? Around 5,000 jobs would be lost at a stroke and £112 million in taxes and business rates lost.
And consider the impact on problem gambling. Betting shops are the safest place to gamble on the high street because of the extensive range of responsible gambling measures in place, many of them unique to betting shops.
However, shop numbers have been in decline for a number of years. If the trend continues – or is forced upon the industry – problem gamblers will simply be displaced from the safe, controlled environment of the local bookie into less-regulated venues or even illegal gambling dens, out of reach of our professional, trained staff.
Bookies are proud to lead the way in promoting responsible gambling. But we are not complacent and remain determined to do more to help those who need support. We would be delighted to welcome Mr Macaskill to one of our shops so he can see at first hand the efforts our professional staff go to in order to ensure that Scotlandgamblesresponsibly. DONALD MORRISON
Association of British Bookmakers in Scotland,
Union Street, Glasgow