Climbdown over gaming machines
THE government has made a U-turn over the timing of a cut to maximum stakes on fixedodds betting terminals (FOBTS) in the face of a Commons revolt.
Swansea East Labour MP Carolyn Harris, who is chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals, had pushed for the move.
She said: “I am truly delighted that the government has finally seen sense and moved the stake cut on fixed-odds betting terminals forward to April 2019.
A reduction in the top wager from £100 to just £2 to combat problem gambling will now come into force in April, after more than 70 MPS set out to sabotage Treasury plans to push it back to October.
That delay sparked the resignation of Sports Minister Tracey Crouch, and condemnation from MPS.
The change was announced in a written statement to MPS by Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright yesterday afternoon.
Ms Crouch, who pushed a gambling review including the cut through the Commons last May, said: “I’m really pleased that common sense has prevailed.
“It is clear that these machines cause significant harm and I was sorry that the Government took the initial decision to delay the implementation of the reduction of stakes, but I am delighted that they are now bringing it forward to April.”
Asked if she would like to return to Government, Ms Crouch said: “There isn’t a vacancy. That’s been filled. So, I will just get on and do what I’m going to do.”
An impact assessment published in May last year suggested the new curb should be implemented within nine to 12 months.
But Chancellor Philip Hammond moved it to October in last month’s budget, telling the Treasury Committee last week that following engagement with the gaming industry, it would be a “sensible” date.
A campaign co-led by former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith but with cross-party support on Monday tabled amendments to finance legislation to force ministers to make the change in April.
The Government was widely expected to lose when the amendments came up for debate next week.
Mr Duncan Smith raised the issue with a question at PMQS, after meeting Mrs May earlier in Downing Street.
He told her he had been “enormously proud” that the Government had agreed to act on FOBTS which have “caused endless harm (and) terrible damage to families”.
Mrs May told him an announcement was coming, adding: “I know he has campaigned on this issue with a passion because, as he said, this question of the maximum stakes for FOBTS is one which does have an impact on vulnerable people as well as their families and loved ones.”
Shadow culture secretary Tom Watson attacked the “disastrous political judgment” shown by the Culture Secretary and Chancellor. He said: “It’s very sad that it took an honourable resignation of a good minister and a cross-party revolt to achieve blindingly obvious and necessary reforms.”