E-news | Spring 2018 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. Community news Betting shops launch campaign to highlight prostate cancer risks A unique partnership between betting shops and a leading cancer charity is to be launched this spring. Prostate Cancer UK has teamed up with William Hill and ABB Scotland, the trade association for high street betting shops, to launch a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of the disease. A dozen shops across Scotland took part in a pilot last month to promote the charity's life saving campaign. From May to August, the campaign will be rolled out to all of William Hill's 310 shops in Scotland. ABB Scotland is part funding the campaign. Spokesman Donald Morrison said: “Given the age profile of many of our customers, typically male and over 50, this partnership makes perfect sense. Our aim is to raise awareness about a disease which claims too many lives in Scotland.” Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer among men, with one in eight men likely to get the disease at some point in their lives. Older men and men with a family history of the disease are more at risk. For more information visit Prostate Cancer UK > Search for best community bookie A search to find Scotland’s best community bookie has been launched. Around 1000 shops are eligible to take part in the competition which will judge entries on their fundraising and voluntary activity, their commitment to responsible gambling and support for older and socially isolated people. ABB Scotland spokesman Donald Morrison said: “Betting shops are very much part of their local community. Many of our 5,000 staff are active in their community, raising funds or volunteering for local charities and, for many people, our shops have become a social hub where they can meet friends and bet in a safe, friendly environment.” The winner will be crowned at a reception in the Scottish Parliament in June. Police partnership sees drop in crime A joint Police and industry forum designed to keep crime in betting shops is working, according to Police Scotland. The National Bookmakers Forum shares intelligence and best practice in a bid to target criminals and reduce anti social behaviour. The forum has been particularly successful in reducing incidents in the Govanhill area of Glasgow. Police Scotland tweeted: "These meetings encourage a partnership and consistent approach to dealing with anti-social behaviour and crime prevention. Recently, there has been a drop in crime at bookmakers premises. The sharing of best practice at the forum has gone a considerable way to contributing to this." Responsible Gambling Self exclusion in an instant A new tool that allows customers to self exclude from betting shops in their area using a simple app has been unveiled. Paddy Power has developed a new app which enables customers to instantly self exclude from up to 10 local betting shops and the customer's image and contact information is instantly shared with those shops. Ladbrokes Coral and William Hill are also developing their own digital platforms. UK Government Review Regulator calls for '£30 or less' FOBT stakesThe UK Gambling regulator has recommended new lower stakes on gaming machines in betting shops as part of a package of measures designed to reduce gambling related harm. Following expert advice, the Gambling Commission has suggested that stakes on roulette style games - commonly known as FOBTs - be cut to £30 or less. However, the regulator has cautioned that a stake reduction “is unlikely on its own to have more than a limited impact on gambling-related harm." ABB Chief Executive Malcolm George said: “The Commission has issued a challenge to the entire industry to do more to tackle problem gambling, and it is a challenge that the betting shop industry readily accepts. We have been at the forefront of developing new and innovative tools to identify and assist those at risk and we remain committed to introducing further measures to address problem gambling.” The ABB has proposed a package of measures to reduce gambling related harm, including mandatory flexible time and spend limits, debit card blocking in shops and an appropriate statutory industry-wide levy to fund research, education and treatment of problem gambling. A decision from the UK Government is expected in the coming weeks, although Ministers have made it clear that a stake cut is inevitable. ABB continues to caution against a
£2 stake, warning that it could lead to around 500 shop closures in Scotland with the loss of 2,500 jobs. Racing warns of funding shortfall if FOBT stakes are slashedLeading figures from racing have warned of a funding shortfall for the industry if stakes on gaming machines in betting shops are slashed to as low as £2, as some campaigners have pushed for. The British Horseracing Authority has warned of “unintended consequences to British racing and the wider rural economy” including the loss of £50 million a year in horse racing levy and
media rights payments. Martin Cruddace, Chief Executive of Arena Racing Company (ARC) has warned: “The effect on prize money and the economic ecosystem of the industry would be pretty catastrophic." Independent bookmakers fear jobs risk Scotland’s independent bookmakers have urged the Prime Minister not to throw them on the scrapheap by cutting stakes on gaming machines in betting shops to £2. In a letter to the PM, more than 50 independent bookmakers, including Edinburgh based Scotbet and Glasgow’s Morton Bookmakers, said: “At a £2 stake many of our family enterprises will close, our staff – including members of our own families – will lose their jobs, and all the monies to government, local councils and racing will be lost. The consequences for our businesses would quite simply be
disastrous." ABB in the news "Number of high street bookmakers in Scotland in decline." Read the article > "The stakes couldn't be higher." Read the article > |