£7billion cost of fixed odds delay

MP raps ‘deal with industry’ CASIN

GAMBLING firms will rake in £7billion from fixed odds betting terminals thanks to the Tories dithering over setting a £2 stake cap – then delaying its launch.

We revealed last month that the Government had finally backed our longrunning campaign to reduce stakes on the machines, which have been dubbed the crack-cocaine of gambling.

But in an astonishing U-turn, the Treasury has now agreed to postpone bringing in the new rules until 2020.

Officials claim it is to give gambling shops time to make changes to the machines and redeploy staff. But insiders say a deal has been struck under pressure from the industry. Shops will rake in £4billion from units during the delay and, since the inquiry into FOBTS launched in June 2016, £3billion was lost on them.

Carloyn Harris MP is chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on FOBTS, which is launching an inquiry into the delay on Tuesday. She led the campaign against the units and was delighted to win Government support for a shake-up.

Now Mrs Harris, Labour’s deputy leader in Wales, vows to fight on.

She said: “I’m absolutely appalled the Treasury would appear to have done a deal with the industry.

“They are protecting the interests of the bookies at the risk of damaging the lives already been blighted by these dreadful machines. It was a long battle we thought we had won, only to discover this deal has been done behind our backs.

“We will not let this rest. We are going to demand the change in stakes is introduced by April next year.”

Bookies have claimed that loss of income from their FOBTS would force the closure of hundreds of shops and lead to massive job losses. But campaigners say the industry can easily absorb the losses.

Deputy Labour leader Tom Watson said: “Capitulating to a two-year delay is a pathetic move from a weak government. Those who praised the Government when the announcement was made will feel badly let down. “They are already rolling back on their promises and allowing these machines to ruin more lives.” The Sunday People campaign against FOBTS had called for a cut on stakes to a maximum £2. At the moment, punters can gamble £100 every 20 seconds. Councillor Vince Maple, leader of Medway Labour Group, supported our campaign from its launch. He said: “The brutal reality of this suggested timescale is it would be another two years of vulnerable people having their lives ruined by what many call the crack-cocaine of gambling.”