Roulette machines blamed

Simon Bowers Monday May 9, 2005 The Guardian Touch-screen roulette machines have set off a "dramatic" change in the habits of gambling addicts, a new report claims. According to GamCare, a charity funded by the gambling industry, one in four calls to its helpline now concern the new craze. It also warns that gambling debts are soaring and young people are especially addicted to the machines. The report will be unwelcome news for betting shop groups, such as William Hill and Ladbrokes, which have seen a step-change in their profits due to the popularity of the machines, known as fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs). The government has so far ruled out regulation, preferring a voluntary limit to the number of machines in each betting shop. But it has been made clear that they remain on probation. Use of FOBTs has boomed since their introduction in 2001. They offer punters the best return in the bet ting shop and wins of up to £500 - 20 times that of the top fruit machine jackpot. GamCare's report reveals that the number of first-time callers to its helpline last year rose 4% to 6,900. However, 22% of calls were related to FOBTs, compared to 13% in 2003. The average debt of first-time callers was up 24% to £25,700. The report also says that the roulette machines are the source of the most acute addictions. Of 299 severe cases in GamCare's counselling and psychotherapy programme, the report found a "dramatic and highly significant change in the pattern of problem gambling". Specifically, 28% of severe problem gamblers were linked to FOBTs - twice the figure of the year before. Addiction problems over FOBTs were most severe in 18 to 35-year-olds. However, independent research for bookmakers claimed to have found "no evidence that FOBTs are closely associated with problem gambling".