The best way to protect the small proportion who struggle is to guarantee a mature, well-regulated gaming sector.
If our members are constricted further, with no freedom to compete and invest, it is not just they and their customers which will suffer. It will be the Treasury.
The Betting and Gaming Council want Britain to carry on boasting a truly world class betting and gaming industry.
It would divert resources from effective third-sector charities and place unnecessary extra pressure on the NHS.
A YouGov poll found that 51 per cent of voters do not believe that politicians should set limits on how much they can bet.
Offering help to those who need it is a far more constructive and effective approach than hitting all gamblers with bans and restrictions.
It’s vital that governments in London and Edinburgh do nothing to make things more difficult than they already are.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport has to be prepared to act on the evidence.
We now have an opportunity to right some of the wrongs we are seeing within the industry to ensure that the most vulnerable are protected.
A review should strike the right balance between protecting the vulnerable and not spoiling the enjoyment of people who enjoy a bet perfectly safely.
An FOBT stake reduction from £100 to £2 per spin was the right thing to do, with a positive impact on gambling treatment services.
The industry has implemented a number of measures to make these activities more secure.
It’s time for sensible, conservative action to protect the vulnerable – and allow the majority a safe flutter.
There are many who would like to see gambling banned, but you cannot control people in this way.