Our place to talk – an independent website for supporters of the Liberal Democrat party in the UK.

The most-read independent website by and for Lib Dem supporters. Not paid for by trade unions or millionaires.

Advert

Author Archives: Derek Webb

Opinion: Urgent action is needed on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals

By Derek Webb | Sat 14th September 2013 - 2:02 pm

The Lib Dem message at conference this year is: “Stronger Economy, Fairer Society”. We wholly endorse this message, and our Campaign for Fairer Gambling is absolutely focused on this direction.

There must be sensible enforcement of sensible gambling regulation. The most addictive form of gambling is roulette machines in betting shops – Fixed Odds Betting Terminals, also known as FOBTs.

Because these machines are a very labour unintensive form of consumer spending, they result in a net loss of jobs in local communities and this has a negative impact on tax revenue generation.

In addition to the economic cost of FOBTs, there is the added social cost of FOBT addiction and each addict affects up to twelve others.

FOBTs expose inexperienced, young gamblers to a game that they will lose at several times faster than the real, casino variant.

Continue reading »

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged gambling | 6 Comments

Most Read

Op-eds

Tom Arms’ World Review (Tom Arms)
Lib Dem Women: Amplifying women’s voices at Conference (Donna Harris)
Christine Jardine to stand down as MP at next election (The Voice)
Observations of an Expat: When Donald met Xi (Tom Arms)
Conference from the other side of the barrier (Barry Rhodes)

Advert

Recent Comments

Jason Connor
I am gutted by this news and agree with David above. In fact I touted Christine as leader on another thread. She has all the right qualities and was hoping she ...
colin murfin
I have been a libdem member for over 20 years , have not got the time, money, confidence or faith in the process to attend conference. My main concern, is the ...
David Murray
In the meanwhile I have answered my own request. Part of Christine Jardine’s letter to Ed Davey after being sacked as the spokesperson for Women, Equalitie...
Galen Milne
The truth will out and I suspect it will be a lang story all said and done!...
Richard BIRD
I agree with Leon Duveen and Mohammed Amin. Dialogue is essential. Boycotts and emotional responses based on limited information, half-truths and selective medi...