Main content

Why are Gambling Machines Addictive?
Wendy Bendel investigates fixed-odds betting terminals. Wendy's partner killed himself after struggling with a gambling addiction.
Wendy Bendel's partner killed himself after struggling with a 20-year gambling addiction. In a confession he wrote for Wendy, he singled out the high-stakes, high-frequency fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) found in bookmakers across the UK.
Wendy embarks on a journey to find out what it is about the design of the machines that makes them so addictive and sees evidence that they can affect the brains of long-term gamblers. She discovers the billions they generate has divided the industry, with former insiders now accusing the bookies of putting profits before people.
Last on
Fri 16 Sep 201603:30
BBC News UK & UK HD only
More episodes
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Wendy Bendel |
| Producer | Michael Simkin |
| Deputy Editor | Karen Wightman |
| Production Company | Amazing Productions |