Bookmakers pull new video games after Gambling Commission cautioning

2 April 2019

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

Paddy Power and Betfred faced criticism their roulette-style games undermined brand-new guidelines on fixed-odds wagering.
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The maximum stake on fixed-odds wagering terminals was today cut from ₤ 100 to ₤ 2, and the yohaig code regulator alerted versus any attempts to prevent the rules.

Betfred said it wanted more talks with the commission, while stated its game was only a limited trial.

The ₤ 2 cap on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) was advised by the Gambling Commission in March last year and is backed by the government as part of efforts to minimize gambling-related harm.
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The Betfred video game included two bicyclists on a screen in stores racing on a velodrome track with numbers on it. When the cyclist at the rear catches the one in front, the number they are on is the winning number.

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

Paddy Power's video game, with an optimum stake of ₤ 100 - the yohaig code level before this week's FOBT rule-change - also involved wagering on numbers in between 1 and 36.
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A Paddy Power spokesperson stated: "This video game was introduced as part of a brief trial in a selection of stores. The trial was stopped within 24 hr of start and this product will not be released throughout our estate."

Act responsibly
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Ahead of the commission's intervention, both companies drew fire from critics. Shadow culture minister Tom Watson described them as "FOBTs through the back entrance".

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

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 responsibly following the stake cut implementation today.
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"We have actually told operators to remove brand-new products which undermine the modifications, and we will examine any other items that are not within the spirit and intention of the new rules."He stated that a third bookmaker that was poised to introduce a similar item to those at Paddy Power and Betfred had been warned versus doing so.

A Betfred spokesman stated: "We removed the virtual biking game and all associated marketing at 10.30 am this morning after conversations with the Gambling Commission."

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