Alcock calls for Government to reconsider gambling change

11.28.00pm GMT Tue 3rd Feb 2009

Mark Alcock, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for Oldham West & Royton, has joined calls for the government not to bow to gambling industry pressure to increase stakes and prize money on fruit machines.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is currently consulting on proposals to increase the maximum stake and prize on Category C fruit machines. These machines are the kind commonly found in pubs and the move would double the maximum stake to £1 and the maximum prize to £70.

Mark Alcock said, "This kind of fruit machine is associated with high levels of addiction and can lead on to more serious and dangerous forms of gambling.

"The change might increase gambling companies' profits during this recession, but at what cost? At a time when many have had to tighten their belt, this potentially hits some of the most vulnerable people in Oldham Borough the hardest."

"Gambling not only affects the gambler, it also affects the gamblers family".

Several religious groups have also expressed their concerns, including the Church of England, the Methodist Church, the Quakers, the Salvation Army and the Evangelical Alliance.