Councils call for gambling powers

COUNCILS in England are demanding powers to limit the proliferation of highstakes gambling machines similar to those being proposed for Scotland.

The Smith Commission on devolution has recommended the Scottish Parliament having the power to “prevent the proliferation of fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs)”, which can have maximum stakes of as much as £100.

But the Local Government Association said that problems linked to gambling do not stop at the border, and said English councils should al s o have “cumulative impact” powers to tackle clusters of betting shops on high streets.

The LGA, which represents English councils, is calling for an update to licensing laws to give local authorities the ability to reject applications in places where there are already multiple betting shops and FOBT machines.

Councils should be allowed to take health issues associated with problem gambling and anti-social behaviour concerns into account when considering applications, said the LGA.

And it said the FOBT maximum stake should be brought in line with those for other gambling machines allowed in betting shops (£2) and casinos (£5).

LGA licensing spokesman Tony Page said: “Concerns about betting shop clustering and proliferation of highstake FOBTs do not stop at the border. English councils must be handed the same powers being promised to their Scottish counterparts to tackle these issues.

“Councils are not anti-bookies but many are frustrated by limited powers available to them to act on community concerns and limit the number of shops.”