May faces defeat over fixed-odds betting delay

THERESA May is threatened with a Commons defeat over the “delayed” crackdown on fixed-odds betting machines that led a minister to quit.

Ex-Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith is talking to opposition MPs about a cross-party motion urging a study into financial and social implications of the addictive terminals.

About 35 Tory MPs could rebel – four times the number needed to overturn the Government’s majority.

Mr Duncan Smith said: “There is deep unease that a delay will mean people suffering.” Tracey Crouch quit as Sports Minister on Thursday, saying a crackdown to slash stakes from £100 to £2 had been put back from April to October next year to protect £128million in tax receipts.

No 10 has denied any delay. Ms Crouch’s action drew plaudits from across the political spectrum and won the praise of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.

She told reporters: “I have no regrets about my decision.”

Meanwhile, it was reported at least 16 MPs have accepted free tickets from betting companies since the 2017 general election.