22 April 2009
Government criticised for gambling legislation change
Yesterday Parliament agreed to double the amount of money that
can be staked and won on the kind of fruit machines found in pubs
and amusement arcades. This means that the prize limit on fruit
machines will be higher than weekly benefit levels, at a time when
many families will be struggling to make ends meet.
In response, an alliance of nine UK Christian organisations has
issued the following statement:
"We are deeply disappointed, though not surprised, by the decision
of Parliament to accept the Government's proposals to increase
stakes and prizes for category C and D gaming machines. The
Government had promised that no such increase would be made until a
further gambling prevalence study had been published and has
reneged on this promise. We do not know what effects this
legislation will have on the levels of problem gambling or on the
lives of those already addicted to slot machines, but we have
always urged the Government to act with caution.
"We will continue to campaign for the protection of those
vulnerable to the harmful effects of gambling and to call on the
government to put people before profits. We particularly call on
the Government:
•to prohibit children from gambling and to research the effects of
allowing them to do so. Britain remains the only developed country
that allows children to play on fruit machines, and the substantial
increase in prizes for children will add another hazard that should
be evaluated;
•only to increase future stake and prize values in line with
inflation, at no more than 3 yearly intervals;
•and to undertake research into the impact of these changes, with a
promise to reverse the decision if this research demonstrates a
likely increase in problem gambling."
The Methodist Church, The Church of England, The Salvation Army,
The Church of Scotland, The Baptist Union of Great Britain, The
United Reformed Church, Quaker Action on Alcohol and Drugs, the
Evangelical Alliance and Care.
Toby Scott, Director of Communications and Campaigns for the
Methodist Church added, "Although we are disappointed with this
decision, we are extremely grateful for the level of support we
have received and to all those who have added their voices to this
campaign."