Civil Service of Northern Ireland Has No Power to Restrict FOBTs

Under the new regulatory crackdown which has become true in England and Wales, the highest betting stake of FOBTs was decreased from £100 to £2.

For the time being, many hundred of the machines are located on the territory of Northern Ireland, at a total of 305 betting shops. The legislation where the gaming machines are being regulated has been unchanged for at least thirty years.

However, regardless of the fact that anti-gambling campaigners have called for actions, the regional Department for Communities reported that there isn’t much it could do to change the circumstance. A spokesman of the Department clarified that any suggested changes to the gaming law of Northern Ireland might be made only below a resolution of an incoming minister.

A few days ago, the UK Government revealed its decision to make a considerable reduction of the most bet allowed in FOBTs, following several flaws of this result. The measure is to be accepted by local governments so as to cancel the possible harm which gaming could cause to local residents, and particularly to kids and more vulnerable people.

Based on Charity CARE NI, Northern Ireland was the territory with the highest rate of gambling addiction across the United Kingdom. Police have often been criticized for not doing much to attract some changes to the present legislation which has not been amended since 1985.

Ian Paisley, a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP, set the lack of action in the Northern Ireland beneath criticism, stating that the fixed-odds betting terminals were to be blamed for the issues faced by many households. He once again called for tighter regulation of these machines, stating that the authorities had to get the right balance in its actions, as its choice would not only have effect on the customer protection but could also have an influence on the gaming sector, and more specifically, on businesses’ earnings and retail shops jobs.

The Northern Ireland Turf Guardians’ Association which represents local sports betting operators commented on the clampdown levied on fixed-odds gaming machines, stating it would appreciate government’ attempts to provide an evidence-based review of their local gaming industry. The Association further clarified that it was waiting for the Department for Communities to confirm the legislation’s future following a consultation which took place in 2011 and was particularly focused on the law of their contentious machines.

As mentioned previously, a number of 305 gaming stores now exist on the territory of Northern Ireland, with countless terminals available. Around 1,500 individuals are employed from the retail betting sector, which contribution into the country’s economy figures to pound & about;29 million.

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