UK delays FOBTs vote

The vote to reduce the maximum bet on fixed odds betting terminals is set to be delayed.

UK.- Authorities of the United Kingdom have decided to postpone the debate on fixed odds betting terminals’ maximum bet until next month after rumours suggested Chancellor Philip Hammond had vetoed a cut of the maximum bet to £2. The debate will be held after the local elections next month, according to official sources.

After the elections, the authorities will finally decide how much they reduce the maximum stake on the popular British gaming machines. Currently, the maximum bet is £100, which health experts consider to be damaging the social structure of British residents. The Campaign for Fairer Gambling released a study that shows that the north and north-east have spent more than £114 million in fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs). In the last few years, the government has tried to regulate the sector to reduce the minimum bet but have faced opposition from investment companies.

As reported by Gambling Compliance, “Campaigners had been confident that they could persuade the government to order a cut in the stakes.” Hammond has allegedly stopped attempts to reduce the stakes by rejecting measures put forward by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sports.