Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, for what reason it has taken more than three months to assess the evidence on reducing the stakes on fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) following the closure of the consultation on gaming machines and social responsibility measures; and what steps have been taken to ensure that people who experience harm due to the high stakes on FOBTs in the interim are supported.

The Government’s consultation on proposals for changes to gaming machines and social responsibility measures closed on 23 January. We are currently analysing advice from the Gambling Commission which was published on 19 March, along with over 7,000 responses to the consultation. The responses cover all aspects of the review including, stakes and prizes for all gaming machines (including B2 machines), gambling advertising, online gambling and research, education and treatment (RET). All submissions are being carefully considered and a response to the consultation will be published in due course.

We take problem gambling very seriously and protecting vulnerable people is a key aim for the Government and the Gambling Commission. Details of a range of support available to people with gambling problems can be found on the NHS Choices website.

Since the consultation closed Ministers have met a wide range of stakeholders, including those who have experienced problems with gambling, those delivering support services as well as representatives of the betting industry. Details of Ministerial meetings are published quarterly on gov.uk. Officials attended those meetings, and have also separately met bookmakers and others with an interest in the consultation since the deadline for responses on 23 January 2018.