Many councils have concerns about the impact of clustering of betting shops on their areas, as well as the associated numbers of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs).
Key messages
Many councils have concerns about the impact of clustering of betting shops on their areas, as well as the associated numbers of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs).
In recent years, betting shops have increasingly moved into vacant premises in high street locations, thereby increasing their visibility. Many councils are concerned about the resulting clustering of betting shops, with the worst affected reporting having over 40 premises in close proximity to each other.
Councils are also concerned that vulnerable residents are losing money on high stakes betting machines. At £100, the stake for a FOBT machine is significantly higher than for other betting machines.
