UK minister resigns over FOBTs’ reform delay

UK sports minister resigned from government in response to the FOBTs reform delay.

UK.- British sports minister Tracey Couch has resigned from the government after the latter delayed the proposed reform of gambling regulations that is set to hit the industry. The implementation of the fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) has been delayed to October 2019.

The cut in the maximum stake will not take effect until October 2019, according to plans by Chancellor Philip Hammond, and it is estimated it will result in a €1 billion windfall for bookmakers. Couch wanted the measure to be implemented in April 2019, as she believes that the stake being so high doesn’t help tackle problem gambling. Moreover, she rejects that a big reduction could cost thousands of jobs.

Crouch released her resignation letter to Prime Minister Theresa May on social media, and she said: “It is with great sadness I have resigned from one of the best jobs in Government. I believe this delay is unjustifiable.”

“There is no delay in bringing this in. We have never confirmed a date until this week. We’ve listened to stakeholders… who wanted it to happen before April 2020, and that’s what we’re doing,” Prime Minister Theresa May’s spokesman said.