Government to make gambling industry’s new code mandatory
CULTURE secretary Maria Miller is backing new voluntary industry measures to restrict the use of high-stakes gambling machines.
The changes will prevent bookies from advertising the machines in their windows and introduce an alert system to pop up after someone has been using a machine for 30 minutes, or when they have spent £250.
Writing in the Sunday Times, Miller said: “We want a successful gambling industry but not at the price of public protection,” adding that voluntary limits decided by the sector would now be made mandatory, with more work being done to decide if they remain too lenient.
The government may also get tougher on gambling advertising on TV. “Ofcom figures show a 600 per cent increase in television gambling advertising between 2006 and 2012. This concerns me,” Miller added. The Advertising Standards Authority is looking into the claims.
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEW CODE
1 SELF-RESTRICTION
Gamblers will be able to set themselves limits on the amount of time and cash they spend on gaming machines
2 STAFF TRAINING
Betting shop staff will be trained to spot problem gamblers and to offer them support or advice
3 MANDATORY WARNINGS
Alerts will pop up on machines once players have spent £250 or played
for 30 minutes