80 MPs unite to overturn betting machines delay
PM faces defeat on postponing £2 limit
THERESA May faces defeat in the Commons over addictive gambling machines.
Almost 80 MPs from both sides of the House last night signed two amendments that would force the Government to bring forward its plans to slash the maximum stake on fixedodds betting machines.
Boris Johnson and Tracey Crouch, whose resignation two weeks ago sparked the crisis, are among a dozen former ministers vowing to vote against the Government next week.
Seven former secretaries of state are on the list, including Iain Duncan Smith, Michael Fallon and Priti Patel.
It has also emerged that the Culture Secretary met two progambling MPs three weeks before the Government delayed curbs on betting machines.
Jeremy Wright admitted yesterday that on October 10 he met Philip Davies and Laurence Robertson, two Tories who have accepted hospitality from the gambling industry.
Cutting the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals from £100 to £2 is to be delayed by six months until October 2019, saving the Treasury £120million in revenue.
Miss Crouch said in her resignation letter that changes to the FOBT stake were being delayed ‘due to commitments made by others to those with registered interests’. She quit amid suggestions that the delay could cost two lives a day among vulnerable addicts. However, the decision to delay could be overturned in the Commons this week because 23 Tory rebels support amendments to bring forward the curbs to April 2019.
The amendments say that an increase in taxes on online casinos, intended to make up for the lost £120million, cannot happen at all unless the latter policy is brought forward.
The SNP’s Ronnie Cowan, vice-chairman of the all-party group on FOBTs, said: ‘There is cross-party support in bringing forward the implementation date of a £2 maximum stake to effectively tackle the highlyaddictive nature of these machines. The Chancellor must act upon the evidence and the growing cross-party calls over the impact FOBTs are having on individuals and families, instead of being influenced by a discredited report commissioned by bookmakers.
‘It will be ordinary people who will pay the price of the Tory Government’s continued delays on FOBTs and in addressing gambling-related harm.’
The meeting between the Culture Secretary and two progambling Tories was revealed following a question by Labour deputy leader Tom Watson.
Mr Davies, MP for Shipley, was hosted at 13 horse racing events by Ladbrokes Coral, William Hill and Sky Bet, which also offered him free tickets to the 2017 League One play-off between Millwall and Bradford City.
He is chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on betting and gambling, and has spoken out against restricting FOBTs in Parliament. He has strenuously denied lobbying ministers. Mr Robertson, MP for Tewkesbury, received the hospitality of William Hill and Ladbrokes at a cost of £5,175 since the election.
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