FOBT parliamentary group rebrands to target online sector

The fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBT) All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has changed its name to the Gambling Related Harm APPG amid a pledge to tackle the online gambling sector.

After successfully campaigning to reduce maximum FOBT stake limits to £2 from £100, the group has promised to begin looking at gambling-related harm more widely and will start with a new inquiry “assessing the impact of online gambling on the vulnerable, including children”.

Welsh Labour MP for Swansea East Carolyn Harris will continue to chair the group, alongside vice-chairs Iain Duncan Smith MP, Ronnie Cowan MP, Lord Chadlington and Jim Shannon MP.

Over the weekend we've seen BA pull their irresponsible advert, @bbc5live have highlighted the flaws within GamStop scheme and now @NickTorfaenMP and I have written to @Ofcom about the extortionate fees to enter some television competitions. pic.twitter.com/w8F3dBjfdz

— Carolyn Harris MP (@carolynharris24) January 14, 2019

Harris said: “Many of us are deeply concerned about the harms caused by online gambling and particularly the impact and harm of online gambling on children.

“We are therefore beginning our new work programme but undertaking an inquiry looking at the harm caused specifically by online gambling.

“Not enough is being done in this area and we will be running an inquiry and then setting out the policy and potentially legislative changes that are required.

“Urgent action is needed and as a group in Parliament we are determined to see that action happen,” she added.

Earlier this week, a BBC investigation revealed that the UK’s national self-exclusion scheme, GAMSTOP, had failed to prevent self-excluded customers from accessing gambling sites.

Harris slammed the scheme following the investigation, adding: “Any system which is easily manipulated like this is not worth it – they have to be robust enough to withstand deliberate attempts to get around them.”