Christopher “Silly Count” Snowdon writes for the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) which purports to be a libertarian think-tank. However, it usually “thinks” the same as the business sectors which fund it, as exposed by Dark Money and Snowdon has a particular penchant for the tobacco industry!

Count Snowdon wrote “The Crack Cocaine of Gambling?” in 2013 – an attempt to debunk the media tag line and defend the bookies’ FOBTs. He resurfaced from his septic “think-tank-coffin” and re-released the same silly drivel last week. However, he’s now gone even further, describing those whose lives have been blighted by FOBT addiction as “sad sacks”.

Could this be because FOBTs were the subject of Panorama this week, explaining how they are designed to be addictive by affecting the brain? The ABB – Association of British Bookmakers (Bloodsuckers?) were not willing to be interviewed by Panorama. But they had their usual irrelevant responses. But now the new Prime Minister, Theresa May is calling time on their FOBT shenanigans.

It is not “nanny-state” to require sensible enforcement by an empowered regulator of sensible gambling regulations. Gambling should never be regarded as a “free-market” issue.

It must always be remembered that FOBTs were introduced illegally by bookies before they were regulated and the status quo rewards the bookies’ illegal conduct.

Content produced and sponsored by Stop the FOBTs