PM caves in on reform date for fixed-odds bet machines

THERESA May has been forced into a humiliating U-turn over the date when the maximum stakes is slashed on fixed-odds betting terminals.

The Prime Minister yesterday agreed to cut the highest wager from £100 to £2 from April next year.

It came as MPs prepared to revolt after Chancellor Philip Hammond said in his Budget the reform would take effect from CRITICAL Tom Watson MP October, six months after the date when it was believed the stake would be cut. Sports Minister Tracey Crouch quit over the delay. Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright said: “Parliament has been clear that they want this change to be made sooner. Government has listened.” But his Shadow Tom Watson said: “It’s very sad it took an honourable resignation of a good minister and a cross-party revolt to achieve the blindingly obvious reforms.”