In a bid to earn an extra £27 million in VAT payments and a 20% rise in revenues for pubs and clubs, the British Government has relaxed regulations on minimum bets and prizes on fruit machines. The limit for minimum bets has been doubled to £1 with a corresponding rise in prize money from £35 to £70. There are around 80,000 slot machines in pubs around Britain generating about £1.8 billion in revenue after payment of prize monies.

The Gambling Commission has been criticised for not being tough enough on limiting problem gambling and the decision to double the stake and prize money on the fruit machines has caused concern in some quarters. The gaming machines have been recognised as being a particularly addictive form of gambling. A spokesman for the Department of Culture, Media and Sports said that despite the increase the protection of children and the vulnerable remained at the heart of the Gambling Act.

On 1 January the Revised Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice came into effect. Director of Policy and Communications, Beryl Brown commented: "The revisions to LCCP sharpen the focus on social responsibility and benefit from the first year of experience in operating under the regulatory regime.” The Gambling Commission has a responsibility to measure and monitor the proportion of adults in the UK with gambling problems and does this through The British Gambling Prevalence Survey. (E-01.05.09)

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