Machine limit led to closures Now MP wants government action
The Wishaw MP who called for a gambling limit cap on fixed odds betting terminals is disappointed that William Hill has announced plans to close 700 shops.
Around 4,500 jobs are expected to go nationwide at the bookmaking giant which has two stores in Wishaw and Motherwell with one each in Newmains and Newarthill.
The company blames a UK Government decision to cut the maximum stake on FOBTS from £100 to £2.
Marion Fellows MP says she still supports the policy but claims that the UK Government must balance out any job losses.
She said: “Potential job losses on such a scale will be a blow to workers and communities.
“The UK Government must immediately take steps to bring together trade unions, employers and government agencies to ensure a transition into further employment for anyone who loses their job.
“The UK Government cannot afford to sit by the sidelines because the people affected cannot afford them to. Workers are facing a great deal of uncertainty. They and their families need continuity and financial security.
“I still believe a £2 maximum stake on fixed odds betting terminals to be a positive step in curbing problem gambling.
“The UK Government has an indisputable responsibility to ensure that any job losses due to necessary government policy must be balanced with the necessary action to ensure workers’ continued employment.”
William Hill has more than 2,200 stores in the UK with 700 earmarked for closure.
Since the cut in FOBT’S maximum stakes the company said it had seen “a significant fall” in gaming machine revenues.
A company spokesman said: “William Hill has entered into a consultation process with retail colleagues over plans to close around 700 licensed betting offices.
This follows the government’s decision to reduce the maximum stake on B2 gaming products to £2 on April 1.
“A large number of redundancies is anticipated with 4,500 colleagues at risk.
“The Group will look to apply volunt a r y redundancy and redeployment measures extensively and will be providing support to all colleagues throughout the process.”
Following the decision to cut stakes in FOBT, an Association of British Bookmakers Scotland spokesman told the Wishaw Press that a £2 stake would decimate the retail betting industry, forcing the closure of 500 shops in Scotland and the loss of 2,500 jobs, including potentially hundreds in Lanarkshire.
The spokesman concluded: “Local authorities would be deprived of valuable business rates, town centres would be starved of retail investment and funding for nearby Hamilton Racecourse would be cut.”
At that time, Mrs Fellows said: “I am glad this Tory Government has finally come to its senses but this change has taken too long. We should never let the gambling industry dictate government policy for electronic gambling machines or in any circumstance.”