FOBT restrictions to be implemented over two years?

According to a report in The Times, the drastic cuts to maximum stakes on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals announced by government last month (see previous reports) may be implemented over a two-year period in order to give retail betting shop operators sufficient time to make the necessary changes.

The Times report cites April 2020 as the actual implementation date following Treasury discussions with industry operators.

The news has been greeted with howls of protest from anti-gambling activists and politicians who pushed for the restrictions, which provide for a cut in the maximum stake limit from GBP 100 to just GBP 2.

Treasury officials have reportedly confirmed that the tax revenue lost through the FOBT changes will be recovered by an increase of taxation on online gambling that could come into force as soon as April next year.

Robert Jenrick, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, reportedly believes that about 90 percent of money currently bet on FOBTs will move to other forms of gambling after the limit is brought forward.

A Treasury spokesman said: “Changes to the stake will be made through secondary legislation. We will also engage with the gambling industry to ensure it is given sufficient time to implement and complete the technological changes.”

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