End betting shop perils

As chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on fixed odds betting terminals, I have spent two years tirelessly raising awareness of the dangers of these machines – and urging the Government to take action.

FOBTs are a blight on our high streets and the impact they have on users, families and the wider community can be devastating.

My interest in them, and the damage they were doing, began soon after I was first elected in 2015. I found out constituents visiting my office for food parcels were then seen pumping money into the machines in the local bookmakers.

With over 33,000 FOBTs in betting shops nationwide, all allowing gamblers to bet up to £100 every 20 seconds, it is not

I’ve spent the last six weeks campaigning to become the first Deputy Leader of Welsh Labour – I’m battle weary (and

scarred) but it was worth it. Because without the pain there is no gain... and we need women

like me, down-to-earth average women, to be the voice for the

majority.

difficult to estimate the potential harm they can cause.

For those cursed with an addiction the damage can be irreparable, causing them to lose not only vast sums of money, but also their homes, jobs, families and, tragically for some, even their lives.

Last October the Government finally listened and issued a call for evidence and consultation on the stakes that can be wagered on these machines.

I believe it is vital that they act in the public interest and protect the most vulnerable in our society by reducing the stake from £100 to £2 per spin.

As yet, the Government has not publicised the results of the consultation.

But I, for one, am avidly awaiting this announcement and hopeful that we will see the significant reduction that the APPG has been campaigning so passionately for.