UK Government backflips on fixed odds betting terminal delay
- By: Staff Writer
- November 14, 2018
- LikeUnlikeLike
- 2102 Views
THE maximum bet on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) will be cut from April after the UK government bowed to both public and political pressure.
Ministers had been facing a parliamentary defeat, with several Tory MPs joining opposition politicians to table amendments to the finance bill.
The chancellor, Philip Hammond, said in the budget that a reduction in FOBT stakes from £100 to £2 would not take effect until October next year, a decision that handed bookmakers a £900m windfall and triggered the resignation of the sports minister, Tracey Crouch.
However, after days of speculation about a U-turn Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright issued a written statement on Wednesday afternoon confirming that the stake reduction would now take place six months earlier.
“The government has been clear that protecting vulnerable people is the prime concern, but that as a responsible government it is also right to take the needs of those employed by the gambling industry into account and provide time for an orderly transition,” the written statement said.
“Parliament has, however, been clear that they want this change to be made sooner. The government has listened and will now implement the reduction in April 2019.”
- READ MORE: Where can you play poker machines online?
An increase in taxes on online casinos from 15% to 21%, designed to make up the tax shortfall from the restrictions on FOBTs, will come in at the same time.
The Labour deputy leader and shadow Culture Minister Tom Watson said the government showed a significant error in judgement.
“This climbdown shows the disastrous political judgment of Jeremy Wright and Philip Hammond.
“It’s very sad that it took an honourable resignation of a good minister and a cross-party revolt to achieve the blindingly obvious and necessary reforms to FOBTs.
“Whilst this is a personal humiliation for Jeremy Wright, this is a very good day for the many thousands of people whose families and communities are blighted by gambling addiction.”
Former MP Tracey Crouch, who famously quit due to the delays, said she was “delighted” with the change in tact from the government.
My statement on the Government's welcome decision to bring forward the implementation date for the reduction in FOBT stakes pic.twitter.com/uhgpMdpXzX
— Tracey Crouch (@tracey_crouch) November 14, 2018
Theresa May signalled the climbdown during prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, in response to a question from the former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith.
Labour said it would support the amendment, meaning the government was all but certain to lose a vote on the issue next week.
You may also like
Join the Betting Planet team!
Are you passionate about sports betting? Sports news writers required TODAY!
Experienced preferred but not essential. (All apps considered).
View Careers at Race MediaTop Online Casinos
Latest Betting News
- Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024 betting preview & free predictions | F1
- EPL Matchweek 12 betting picks & odds | Premier League 2024-25
- La Liga betting tips, prop picks & best odds | Matchday 14
- Australia v India: Visitors drop selection hint for Perth Test
- Yan v Figueiredo betting picks & odds | UFC Fight Night preview
- Steelers @ Browns NFL Thursday preview & top picks | Week 12
- Texans @ Cowboys NFL Monday preview & free picks | Week 11
- ATP Finals 2024: De Minaur bombs out as Fritz reaches semis
- NFL Week 11 Sunday preview & betting picks | November 17, 2024
- UFC 309 main card preview & free betting picks | Nov 16, 2024
Casino Guides
- Safest online casino jurisdictions
- How to guides
- How to win at pokies
- How to play online pokies
- PaysafeCard online casino deposits
- MasterCard Online Casinos
- Online Casinos Accepting POLi
- 32Red Casino Review
- All Slots Casino Review
- Boombet Casino review
- Horse racing games at casinos
- Credit card deposits at online casinos
- Films about blackjack
- Live dealer casinos
- How to play live dealer blackjack party
- Online Blackjack
- Top online casinos 2024
- Online casino deposits
- MasterCard Online Casinos
- Online Casinos Accepting POLi
- PaysafeCard online casino deposits
- Online slots
- Playing Pai Gow Poker on the Internet
- Online keno
- Online poker
- Online poker tournament structures
- Real money online roulette 2024
- Online multi-wheel roulette – what is it?
- How to play online scratch cards in 2024
- Sit & Go online poker tournaments
- Skrill e-wallet deposits at online casinos
- Visa online casino deposits
Sports Betting Guides
Casino Games
Deposits & Withdrawals
Football
Basketball
Top Country Betting sites
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Armenia
- Australia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Brazil
- Canada
- Dominican Republic
- Germany
- Ghana
- Grenada
- India
- Indonesia
- Italy
- Kenya
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Norway
- Philippines
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Turkey
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Vietnam
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe