bookmakers-pull-new-games-after-gambling-commission-warning

Bookmakers pull new games after Gambling Commission cautioning

2 April 2019

Two leading UK bookies have pulled new high stakes betting games after a caution from the Gambling Commission.

Paddy Power and Betfred dealt with criticism their roulette-style games weakened brand-new guidelines on fixed-odds betting.
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The maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals was today cut from ₤ 100 to ₤ 2, and the regulator warned versus any efforts to prevent the yohaig code rules.
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Betfred said it wanted more talks with the commission, while Paddy Power stated its game was only a limited trial.

The ₤ 2 cap on fixed-odds wagering terminals (FOBTs) was recommended by the Gambling Commission in March last year and is backed by the federal government as part of efforts to lower gambling-related harm.

The Betfred video game included 2 bicyclists on a screen in shops racing on a velodrome track with numbers on it. When the cyclist at the rear captures the one in front, the number they are on is the winning number.

The numbers are 1 to 36, matching those on a roulette wheel, and other bets can be put on odd or perhaps numbers, colours, rows and columns. Customers might wager as much as ₤ 500.

game, with a maximum stake of ₤ 100 - the level before this promotion code week's FOBT rule-change - also involved betting on numbers between 1 and 36.
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A Paddy Power spokesperson stated: "this promotion code video game was introduced as part of a short trial in a selection of shops. The trial was ceased within 24 hours of beginning and this item will not be released across our estate."

Act properly
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Ahead of the commission's intervention, both firms drew fire from critics. Shadow culture minister Tom Watson explained them as "FOBTs through the back entrance".
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Tracey Crouch MP, who resigned as sports minister over the delay in cutting FOBT stakes, said any effort circumvent today's changes to the optimal stakes "would be ethically careless".

In a declaration on Tuesday, Richard Watson, executive director for enforcement at the commission, stated: "We have actually been definitely clear with operators about our expectations to act properly following the stake cut execution this promotion code week.
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"We have informed operators to remove brand-new products which weaken the changes, and we will examine any other items that are not within the yohaig code spirit and objective of the brand-new rules."He stated that a third bookie that was poised to launch a similar product to those at Paddy Power and Betfred had actually been alerted against doing so.
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A Betfred spokesman said: "We got rid of the yohaig code virtual biking game and all associated marketing at 10.30 am today after conversations with the Gambling Commission."
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