It's great news but (as stated by several members),an overhaul is more than due across the entire industry.
No gaming outlet should ever have been allowed the high stakes that were on those vile slots.
Yet as stated in many responses,online gambling is just as destructive if not worse. Armed with a debit,credit or other payment device you can add what you want,when you want 24/7 and unless you agree to a given restriction there is no limit to what you can gambol!
But it does not stop there,in the bingo halls ive witnessed on many occasions(mainly woman but some men too)playing not one £500 jackpot slot but up to 6 units at a time! That's £12 a spin (across the 6 units)!
And the bingo staff sat back,never intervening or questioning what is happening.
Have also witnessed similar situations in arcades too.
But again government and gaming bodies are not made fully aware of this,
Ive only been in a casino twice,but I can imagine it is a similar situation.
The sad thing is(speaking as a former addicted slot player),it has become much more than addiction now,it has become(for some),greed and and an inner fear that some one else will gain/win the jackpot on a slot next to them or near to what that player is playing.
So I more than agree the £2 cap is more than a welcome relief,but there are many more matters to attend to.
Bingo halls also have increased the number of cards/tickets you can play on computerised screens,tablets and in some clubs full pc monitors.
Where you can play between 6 tickets and up to 140 tickets in some clubs,whilst also been able to play a selection of slots by depositing with your debit card!
Where is the restriction there? And how is that responsible gambling.
True some of us can restrict ourselves and set limits etc and walk away,but there are still 1000's of individuals who do not have that control,and never will.
Another hidden gamble-scratchcards! My sister in law only recently,accepted she had a problem and was buying up to £200's worth of the cards per week!
Are the shop assistants trained to suspect this type of gambling,same applies to the lottery.-How many of you have family who regularly put £100's on the lottery??
So many areas to look in to,the buck does not stop with the high street bookmaker.
Jay