Government U-turn on betting machines amid Tory MP revolt

THE GOVERNMENT has made an embarrassing U-turn over the timing of a cut to maximum stakes on machines dubbed ‘‘the crack cocaine of gambling’’ in the face of a massive Tory revolt.

A reduction in the top wager on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) from £100 to just £2 will now come into force in April, Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright announced yesterday after more than 70 MPs set out to sabotage Treasury plans to push it back to October.

That delay sparked the resignation of Sport Minister Tracey Crouch, inset, as well as condemnation from MPs who believe the cut is vital to protect vulnerable people and families.

Ms Crouch, who pushed the reforms through the Commons last summer, said: “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.”

Tory MP for Shipley Philip Davies, a vocal advocate of the gambling industry, told

the decision was “likely” to cost the jobs of “20,000 decent working class people who work in betting shops”.

An impact assessment published in May last year suggested that the new curb should be implemented within nine to 12 months but Chancellor Philip Hammond moved it to October in last month’s Budget, insisting that following engagement with the gaming industry it would be a “sensible” date.

But a campaign co-led by former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith and Labour MP Carolyn Harris 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 and climbed down as a result.