Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the proposed changes to maximum stakes for gaming machines on employment in and the economy of market towns.

The Government published its response to the consultation on changes to gaming machines and social responsibility measures on 17 May accompanied by an impact assessment, which can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-proposals-for-changes-to-gaming-machines-and-social-responsibility-measures

Whilst the impact assessment does not address specific economies such as market towns, the Government is aware of the potential impact on businesses following the decision to cut stakes on Fixed-Odds Betting Terminals and took this into consideration. A report by Geofutures, commissioned by GambleAware in February 2015, showed that betting shops are overwhelmingly in urban places and places with economic deprivation. The attached research can be viewed here:

http://about.gambleaware.org/media/1170/b2gamingmachines_finalreport_20150218.pdf

We will continue to take the actions necessary to protect those most vulnerable from harm and will work closely with the industry between now and implementation.