British head of Treasury urged to enforce FOBT regulations
Local councils have urged Chancellor Phillip Hammond not to delay the planned reduction of maximum stake on FOBTs.
UK.- British lawmakers have already decided to slash the maximum bet limit on fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) from £100 to £2. However, the government announced it will further push the enforcement of said changes despite several local councils urging chancellor Phillip Hammond not to delay the implementation date anymore.
Chancellor Hammond (head of Treasury) is expected to reveal the enforcement date today as he presents the 2019 budget. However, leaders from 27 councils issued a letter to him in order to get the FOBTs maximum bet limit slashed as soon as possible.
“As local authorities, we sadly know first-hand the devastating impact these addictive machines have had on our residents and high streets, clustering in deprived areas, fuelling problem gambling and indebtedness, and creating real misery to people’s lives,” they said.
As The Guardian newspaper reported on Thursday, the cut in the maximum stake will not take effect until October 2019, according to the soon to be introduced budget, which will result in a €1 billion windfall for bookmakers.
