Bookmakers pull new games after Gambling Commission alerting

2 April 2019

Two leading UK bookmakers have actually pulled brand-new high stakes wagering games after a caution from the Gambling Commission.

Paddy Power and Betfred dealt with criticism their roulette-style games undermined new guidelines on fixed-odds betting.

The optimum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals was this week cut from ₤ 100 to ₤ 2, and the regulator alerted versus any efforts to prevent the guidelines.

Betfred said it desired more talks with the commission, while Paddy Power stated its video game was just a limited trial.

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

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

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

Paddy Power's game, with an optimum stake of ₤ 100 - the level before this promotion code week's FOBT rule-change - likewise involved betting on numbers in between 1 and 36.

A Paddy Power spokesman stated: "this promotion code video game was introduced as part of a brief trial in a selection of stores. The trial was ceased within 24 hr of beginning and this promotion code product will not be launched across our estate."

Act properly

Ahead of the yohaig code commission's intervention, both firms drew fire from critics. Shadow culture minister Tom Watson described them as "FOBTs through the back door".

Tracey Crouch MP, who resigned as sports minister over the hold-up in cutting FOBT stakes, said any effort prevent this promotion code week's changes to the optimal stakes "would be ethically reckless".

In a declaration on Tuesday, Richard Watson, executive director for enforcement at the commission, said: "We have actually been absolutely clear with operators about our expectations to act properly following the stake cut application today.

"We have actually told operators to remove brand-new products which weaken the changes, and we will investigate any other products that are not within the spirit and intention of the brand-new rules."He stated that a 3rd bookmaker that was poised to introduce a comparable item to those at Paddy Power and Betfred had actually been alerted against doing so.

A Betfred representative stated: "We eliminated the virtual cycling game and all associated marketing at 10.30 am today after conversations with the Gambling Commission."

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