Crouch quits over betting delay

Sports minister wants curbs on FOBTs now to save gamblers from harm

Tracey Crouch has resigned as Sports and Civil Society Minister amid a row over delays to cut the maximum stake for fixedodds betting terminals (FOBTs).

Ms Crouch is unhappy the cap on FOBTs bets being reduced from £100 to £2 will not come in until October 2019.

The MP tweeted: “It is with great sadness I have resigned from one of the best jobs in government.

“Politicians come and go but principles stay with us forever.”

In her resignation letter to Prime Minister Theresa May, Ms Crouch said: “Unfortunately, implementation of these changes are now being delayed until October 2019 due to commitments made by others to those with registered interests.

“From the time of the announcement to reduce stakes and its implementation, over £1.6 billion will be lost on these machines.

“In addition, two people will tragically take their lives every day due to gambling-related problems and, for that reason as much as any other, I believe this delay is unjustifiable.”

Mrs May said that she was “disappointed” by Ms Crouch’s move and added that “there was no delay in bringing forward this important legislation”.

The move came after the government made it clear it was standing firm when Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liz Truss failed to give ground during the Budget debate in the Commons.

Ms Truss told MPs that the government is “certainly happy to discuss” the matter, but gave no indication of a change of policy.

Ms Crouch has been a leading campaigner in reducing the maximum stake for FOBTs.

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith joined cross-party calls to bring the change forward to April 2019.

Tom Watson, the shadow culture secretary, tweeted praise for Ms Crouch and blamed Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Jeremy Wright for the delay.

He said: “The new Secretary of State has prioritised corporate interests over victims, profits over public health and greed over good.

“He should be thoroughly ashamed.”