Review of Gaming Machines Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateLord Porter of Spalding
Main Page: Lord Porter of Spalding (Conservative - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Lord Porter of Spalding's debates with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport
(7 years ago)
Lords ChamberBecause there is more to it than just the stake. As I said, there is an impact from the different levels of stake, and we have published an economic impact assessment today. The issue is the right balance between continuing a perfectly legal industry and social protection for consumers. That is why we have decided that the stake should be lowered. The 12-week consultation on this and the package of measures that goes with it will ensure that the decisions are made with due process.
Does the Minister agree that noble Lords are quite right to see this as being not FOBT but fobbed off? The stake is considerably too high, even if it is halved. It should not be possible for somebody to lose more than a week’s wages in a matter of moments. That money is lost to the local economy—it is being wasted—and we need to do something as quickly as possible to make sure that all the benefits of that money are spread across the whole community and not just into the bank accounts of a few businesses.
My Lords, if you do it without the proper consideration and it is judicially reviewed, the result may be that you wait longer.