50. Memorandum from International
Game Technology (GMB 50)
Whilst appreciating the enormous demands placed
on you as Chairman of the Joint Scrutiny Committee, I feel compelled
to place on record some brief comments relating to casino gaming
machines. I do so in my capacity as Managing Director of the United
Kingdom subsidiary of International Game Technology (IGT)—the
world's largest manufacturer of casino style machines and a company
that is absolutely committed to the strongest possible pursuit
of responsible gaming. We see such a commitment as an imperative
and vital component of our business practices.
The issue of whether or not there is any link
between prize levels and the incidence of problem gambling is
one which appears to have considerably taxed the minds of both
the DCMS and your committee. We have consulted extensively with
international organisations and researchers and can find absolutely
no published material which establishes any relationship between
prize level and differences or changes in rates of problem gambling.
We have observed that some witnesses have made
references to their beliefs that unlimited stake and prize casino
machines are the most addictive type of gambling product. There
is an important need for me to place on record the fact that such
claims are not based on any sound empirical evidence and that
they emerge solely in response to anecdotally based socio-political
influences.
There is excellent research which emphasises
the importance of industry stakeholders working co-operatively
in the pursuit of a sound and well-considered framework for responsible
gambling. There are well established arguments which stress the
importance of such programmes being directed at educating and
informing the gambling public and that initiatives which target
the product may often have negative consequences.
IGT states its absolute and unqualified commitment
to working collaboratively with other industry stakeholders including
the Responsibility in Gambling Trust, GamCare, The Gaming Board,
the future Gambling Commission and casino operators with a view
to ensuring that a sound framework for responsible gambling practices
is adopted.
We sincerely thank you for your excellent chairmanship
of the Scrutiny Committee.
July 2004
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