According to the Gambling Commission around 0.7% of adults in the UK (about a third of a million people) are problem gamblers and a further 5.5% are identified as at risk. Studies have shown higher rates of problem gambling among those who gamble online.
Problem gambling is profoundly destructive socially, undermining productivity in the workplace, generating significant pressure and hardship in families and can result in family breakdown and even suicide. CARE has campaigned primarily for reform to the use of gaming machine known as “Fixed Odds Betting Terminals” or “FOBTs”. These are virtual gaming machines located in betting shops that enable individuals to bet large sums of money (as much as £100 per spin) quickly. CARE has campaigned for a reduction in the stakes on FOBT machines from £100 to £2 per spin to protect the most vulnerable.