Gibraltar exempted from FOBTs regulation

The UK government review on FOBTs’ maximum stake will not affect the gambling industry in Gibraltar.

As the United Kingdom is discussing the possibility of reducing the maximum stake limit on FOBTs from £100 every 20 seconds to £2 (as proposed by the Labour party), £50 (which is the most appealing to bookies) and one between £10 and £30, Gibraltar, which is under the territory’s regulations, was worried that it could impact the local gambling industry.

A government spokesman told local media that fixed-odds betting terminals are a type of higher value slot machine unique to the United Kingdom. “We keep the arrangements in Gibraltar under constant review and are satisfied we do not have the issues alleged to be commonplace in the UK,” said the spokesman.

UK Gambling Minister Tracey Crouch explained that the package of proposals was introduced “given the strong evidence and public concerns about the risks of high stakes gaming machines on the high street.”

Last month, a spokesman for the Association of British Bookmakers stated: “If the Government capitulate to the demands for bans or severe restrictions then over half of all shops and jobs in Bradford will be destroyed, yet people will continue to gamble on other forms of gambling that contribute little or nothing to the Bradford economy in terms of jobs and business rates.”