E-news | Winter 2017 No Images? Click here Welcome to the latest e-bulletin from ABB, the trade body for high street bookmakers, representing the interests of 5,000 industry employees across Scotland. A year of responsible gambling 2017 has been a year of real progress in our effort to promote responsible gambling in shops, and in the wider community. The following timeline captures some of the work we’ve supported over the past year. We know there’s more to do, so 2018 will see us continue our activity, with new tools to help our trained staff monitor customer behaviour and help those at risk. Betting shop numbers down sharply The number of betting shops is continuing to fall sharply according to latest figures from the Gambling Commission. The data shows that 342 betting shops closed in the six months from March to September 2017. There are now just 8,502 bookies in the UK, compared to over 16,500 in the 1960s. The closures mean that over 1,000 jobs have been lost from the high street and local authorities have lost over £3 million in business rates. The knock on impact of these shop closures also means that horse racing will lose out on nearly £10 million in media rights payments. Malcolm George, chief executive of ABB, said: “The pace at which betting shops are closing is very bad news for the future of a retailer that has been a fixture of the high street for over 55 years.” Read more > The changing shape of the industry The Gambling Commission’s latest report shows a fast changing gambling industry. While many commentators narrowly focus on fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) in betting shops, the machines account for just 13% of UK gambling spend. The number of FOBTs has declined by over 1000, whereas gaming machines in arcades and other venues have increased by more than 4,300 in the past year. However, as this table shows, these venues lack many of the responsible gambling measures available on betting shop machines. £2 stake will lead to 'potentially harmful consequences', warns expert bodyThe UK Government has launched a public consultation on plans to review gaming machines. The consultation covers 11 different types of gaming machines but much of the focus has been on cutting stakes on FOBTs, with some campaigners urging the Government to slash stakes to just £2. However, the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board, which provides independent advice to the UK Government, has cautioned that a
£2 stake is not a proportionate response and could create a variety of 'unintended and potentially harmful consequences.’ Meanwhile, the UK Government’s own impact assessment reveals that a £2 stake would result in a 'best estimate' net loss to the UK economy of around £5.49 billion over the 10 years – a significant economic price to pay for a policy which will simply displace problem gambling from the safe, controlled environment of betting shops into pubs, clubs and arcades. Analysis
Problem gambling highest among lottery players New analysis shows that the number of problem gamblers is significantly higher among gamblers who play the national lottery and scratchcards. Over 212,000 people who play the lottery have been identified as problem gamblers and almost 196,000 scratchcard players are problem gamblers. By contrast, around 122,000 gamblers who use FOBTs in betting shops are problem gamblers. The figures are a reminder that problem gambling is not linked to any one particular product and requires an industry wide approach. A curb on FOBTs in betting shops is not the answer, given that customers can simply switch to other products in venues that lack the tight controls and trained staff found in betting shops. ABB backs calls for statutory charity levy ABB is supporting calls for a statutory industry-wide levy to fund research, education and treatment on problem gambling. Currently, gambling firms can make a voluntary contribution to the charity BeGambleAware. However, the Remote Gambling Association - which represents online gambling companies - and ABB have both called for the levy to be made compulsory. Malcolm George, ABB chief
executive, said: “We will be supporting an appropriate, compulsory levy on the gambling industry to fund problem gambling treatment in our response to the government’s consultation, as we have long argued that the gambling industry needs to work together to reduce the number of problem gamblers and address the fact that most problem gamblers move between different forms of gambling.” Ladbroke teams raise thousands for sick kids hospital Shop staff from Ladbrokes in Glasgow have raised thousands of pounds for the city’s children’s hospital. Following a marathon run of fundraising events, including quiz nights, collection tins in shops and sponsored walks, shop teams from Glasgow and surrounding areas have secured a massive £35,000 for much-needed equipment. Roddy O’Kane, Consultant Neurosurgeon at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, said: “Donations like [this] make a significant difference to the children that we treat. This equipment will allow me and my team to perform minimally invasive, more effective and safer surgery, which will ultimately lead to a better outcome for all of the children that we treat here.” Pictured: Ladbrokes Coral Regional Director Scotland Christopher Hector and Darren Wales, Regional Operations Manager, West of Scotland. ABB in the news "Don't believe the spin." PoliticsHome - ABB Chairman Paul Darling on the threat to high street bookies. |