A cross party group at Medway Council has raised concerns recently about Fixed Odd Betting Terminals (FOBTs) and their impact on vulnerable gamblers across the authority. The use of FOBTs has increased dramatically since the liberalisation of gambling legislation under the last Government but it is right that the Council is looking into this, especially given the wider personal debt issues that Medway faces. The attached document shows the number of FOBTs in each constituency and their yield. Although the figures are “a rough and ready” estimate it still clearly shows that a huge amount of money is being gambled on these machines.

Tracey has spoken to the relevant Minister regarding this issue, which is being taken seriously, and is assured that the Government is looking into how to protect vulnerable gamblers from FOBTs while still allowing for others to gamble responsibily.