A NEW gambling scheme to help addicts in Glasgow has been branded a “public relations exercise”, as campaigners claim bookies are not doing enough.
The new project would enable people to exclude themselves from High Street betting shops across Glasgow city centre by calling a confidential helpline, meaning they will not be allowed to access the 36 participating betting shops.
Gamblers can also exclude themselves from individual shops of their choosing, for example, shops close to their house or workplace.
The three-month pilot will be launched by participating bookmakers, Glasgow city councillors and the Association of British Bookmakers, which hopes to roll out a similar UK-wide scheme next year.
Despite being hailed as a step forward by the industry, as previously you could only opt out of individual shops, gambling campaigners and support groups have said it is “unrealistic” to think the rules can be enforced. As the system is paper-based, the exclusion of an individual will rely on a member of staff in the shop recognising them upon entry.
Andrew Parkinson, director of campaign group Fairer Gambling, said:”There is nothing new about self-exclusion. It has been operating in betting shops since the mid 2000s. The bookmakers are trying to improve a system that has consistently been shown to be ineffective in helping pathological problem gamblers to exclude from betting shops.
“Many shops have hundreds of people who have self-excluded, and with lone staffing now commonplace in betting shops, it is unrealistic to expect staff working on their own to be able to enforce this. And what any betting shop worker will tell you is that those who have excluded have done so because of FOBTs, not because of traditional over the counter betting.”
Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs), such as slot machines and instant casino machines, have been proven to be the most addictive aspect of the betting shop, being dubbed the “gambler’s crack cocaine”.
Parkinson said although betting shop profits are up 152 per cent since 2008, the number of people working in the sector across the UK has fallen by nearly 10,000.
He said: “The industry, as they already are doing, will tout this scheme as another step up in their approach to responsible gambling. The reality is they are operating a public relations exercise in the face of the increasing backlash against their £100 spin casino machines.”
Simon Perfitt of Rethink Gambling, an independent group seeking improve the prevention and treatment of gambling addiction, said: “While we welcome any initiative that helps people with gambling problems, this scheme is too little, too late.”
“Bookmakers have had years to implement a modern, technology-based system but this scheme is paper-based and will still rely on staff recognising individuals from often poor quality photographs. The Gambling Commission already requires bookmakers to have a national self-exclusion system in place by next year as part of their licence conditions.
“Glasgow has 223 betting shops where gamblers lost over £32 million on fixed odds betting terminals alone and this scheme only covers 36 shops.”
Perfitt said the industry has to do more itself, claiming it only contributes £5m towards helping addiction, less than 0.1 per cent of the total £7 billion profits, leading to a “chronic underfunding” of treatment.
Malcolm George, chief executive of the Association of Bookmakers, defended the scheme, saying the measures will give people the help they need.
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