Mayor Dave's Welcome for Action on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals

Mayor Dave Hodgson has welcomed the news that the maximum stake for fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) 'gaming machines' will be cut from £100 to £2 under new rules announced by the government.

Currently, people can bet up to £100 every 20 seconds on electronic casino games on the machines, such as roulette. A cross party campaign over recent years has highlighted the harm that the ease and the speed with which people can lose money does to communities, and the Government this week responded with the announcement of plans for the cut in the maximum stake.

Commenting on the news on his Facebook page, Mayor Dave Hodgson said: "Welcome news! Well done to all those who have campaigned for this common sense change. There's been an overwhelming consensus for some time about the harm these machines can do under the current rules, which allow stakes of £100 a time. So the decision is overdue, but it's a welcome one."