Bookmakers accused of misleading claims over delay to FOBT stake cut

MPs have called on bookmakers to accelerate the implementation of a £2 stake limit on fixed-odds betting terminals, labelling claims the changes may take until 2020 as "misleading" and "disingenuous".

The government ruled in May that the maximum amount per play on FOBTs should be reduced to £2 from £100 following a prolonged campaign against the machines and the proliferation of bookmaking shops in certain areas of Britain.

However, the indications were these changes might be potentially delayed by up to two years, although reports on Thursday suggested October 2019 as a possible deadline, amid claims technical amendments to the machines were required along with preparation being needed for the full impact of the changes.