Bookmakers pull brand-new video games after Gambling Commission cautioning

2 April 2019

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

Paddy Power and Betfred faced criticism their roulette-style games weakened new rules on fixed-odds betting.
bet9ja.com
The optimum stake on fixed-odds wagering terminals was this week cut from ₤ 100 to ₤ 2, and the regulator alerted versus any efforts to prevent the guidelines.

Betfred said it wanted more talks with the commission, while Paddy Power stated its video game was only a limited trial.
bet9ja.com
The ₤ 2 cap on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) was suggested by the Gambling Commission in March in 2015 and is backed by the federal government as part of efforts to reduce gambling-related harm.
bet9ja.com
The Betfred video game involved 2 cyclists on a screen in shops 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, matching those on a live roulette wheel, and other bets can be put on odd or perhaps numbers, colours, rows and columns. Customers could bet up to ₤ 500.
bit.ly
Paddy Power's game, with an optimum stake of ₤ 100 - the level before this week's FOBT rule-change - also involved wagering on numbers in between 1 and 36.

A Paddy Power spokesman said: "This game was introduced as part of a brief trial in a selection of shops. the yohaig code trial was stopped within 24 hr of start and this product will not be launched across our estate."

Act responsibly
bet9ja.com
Ahead of the commission's intervention, both companies drew fire from critics. Shadow culture minister Tom Watson described them as "FOBTs through the back door".
bet9ja.com
Tracey Crouch MP, who resigned as sports minister over the delay in cutting FOBT stakes, said any attempt circumvent this week's modifications to the optimal stakes "would be ethically reckless".
bit.ly
In a statement 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 implementation today.

"We have informed operators to remove brand-new items which undermine the modifications, and we will examine any other products that are not within the spirit and intent of the brand-new guidelines."He said that a third bookie that was poised to launch a similar item to those at Paddy Power and Betfred had been cautioned versus doing so.

A Betfred spokesman stated: "We got rid of the virtual biking game and all associated marketing at 10.30 am today after conversations with the yohaig code Gambling Commission."
bet9ja.com
Bookmakers warned over fixed-odds stake cut

30 March 2019
bet9ja.com
Most bars 'do not stop children gambling'

15 November 2018