News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Betting-Shop-Main_article_image.jpg
Betting Shops on the high street - Copyright IO8 Photography / REX
UK News

Restrictions on gambling machines a "no brainer"

by Antony Bushfield

The organisation CARE said restrictions on the amount of money you can play each time was a "no brainer" and a "much safer option".

Currently you can bet up to £100 every time you play a game on the machines, which can be as often as every 20 seconds.

Some local councils have cut that maximum to £50 unless a person registers with the store.

Two peers have written open letters urging the government to take action to regulate the machines.

Lord Clement-Jones and Baroness Jowell agreed more had to be done to tackle the problem.

Lee Davy

CEO of CARE, Nola Leach, told Premier's News Hour those who want to gamble should be able to do so safely: "This is manifestly not a safe way of gambling.

"People are getting into incredible levels of debt, there are suicides recorded, there are effects on the family and this is meant to be a government that is family friendly."

She suggested the government may be unwilling to act because it would lose money: "There's no doubt that 1.6 billion pounds are made from fixed odd betting machines.

"They produce a nice slice for the treasury. I think it's a no brainer if we're talking about caring for those who are poor that we need to do something about it."

Premier has approached the Department for Culture Media and Sport for comment.

Nola Leach speaking to Premier's Marcus Jones:

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate