FOBT opponents angered by reports stake cut may not happen until 2020

Opponents of FOBTs have reacted angrily to reports that the government's reduction of maximum stakes on the machines to £2 will not happen until April 2020.

The new stake was confirmed last month but its implementation was always due to be delayed as the government's plans first had to be submitted to the European Union and then passed by parliament.

The government had also said it would give bookmakers a period of time to implement the changes, which bookmakers said on Friday could help them reduce shop closure and job losses.

Government to impose £2 limit on FOBTs - although legal challenge not ruled out

The Times said the Treasury had come to a "backroom deal" with bookmakers to delay the implementation of the reduction – from £100 – in a move which campaigners claim will allow bookmakers to earn an extra £4 billion.

The Treasury did not confirm or deny the April 2020 date, but said in a statement: "We are changing the rules so they balance the needs of vulnerable people, those who gamble responsibly and people who work in this sector.

"But we must get this right, and are engaging with the industry to ensure it has sufficient time to implement these technological changes."

Labour deputy leader Tom Watson slammed the government

Reacting to the reports, Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson slammed the government.

"Capitulating to a two-year delay is a pathetic move from a fundamentally weak government," he said.

"Those who praised the government when the announcement was made will feel badly let down. They are already rolling back on their promises and allowing these machines to ruin more lives."

The Association of British Bookmakers said the betting shop industry was working to adjust to the changes caused by a £2 stake.

They added: "The £2 maximum stake will cause thousands of job losses and will require significant readjustment in the industry in terms of shop numbers.

"Implementation time would be key to enabling operators to utilise redeployment and voluntary redundancy and to renegotiate leases – potentially saving some shops and jobs. In addition, software changes to the architecture of hundreds of games will need to be made."

The reports did not have a positive effect on share prices, with William Hill down 3.6p at 307.9p early on Friday afternoon, Ladbrokes Coral's parent company GVC Holdings down 26p at 1,009p and Paddy Power Betfair down 140p at 8,425p.

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