Clive Efford MP, Labour’s Shadow Sports Minister, commenting on the Government announcement on FOBTs and betting shops, said:

“After months of dithering by David Cameron, it is disappointing today’s proposals appear not to have been properly thought through.

“The Government’s new £50 limit for FOBTs is a sham.  Only 7 per cent of plays on FOBTs are above £50 so this will have little impact and players will still be able to stake up to £100 on a single spin by seeking permission from betting shop staff.

“For more than two years Labour has been calling for local authorities to be given powers to deal with betting shop clustering and to reduce the number of FOBTs where local people demand action. The government is performing only a partial U-Turn on planning powers but is doing nothing for those local authorities that already have problems.

“Whilst the Prime Minister is now accepting there is a problem, the Chancellor is busy making a £90 million tax grab on FOBT profits - making Cameron and Osborne the biggest FOBT addicts of all.”