MPs accuse bookies of 'cheating' FOBT rules with roulette-style games

Bookmakers have been accused of violating new rules on fixed-odd betting terminals after an investigation found that high-stakes roulette-styled games were launched on the same day as the restrictions on the machines were implemented.

A reduction in FOBT stakes from £100 to £2 was introduced on Monday to try to curb addiction to gambling and reduce the huge losses experienced by addicts.

But less than 48 hours after, an investigation by the Guardian newspaper revealed high street firms were bypassing the law with new products.

The new games launched by bookmakers Betfred and Paddy Power prompted condemnation from campaigners who say they are seeking to circumvent the spirit of the rules.

These new roulette-styled games allow gamblers to place bets with a maximum stake of £500 in some cases.

A spokesman for Betfred said: “Bets for all these products need to be filled out on a betting slip and handed over at the counter, where our staff can interact with the customers as they do so. These are not machine games but over-the-counter bets.”

Sports minister Mims Davies said: “We cut FOBT stakes to £2 to protect vulnerable people from gambling-related harm, and operators should respect both the letter and the spirit of that change.

“We are watching very closely to see how the industry reacts to this measure and will not hesitate to act if we see evidence of harm.”

Labour’s shadow culture minister, Tom Watson, said: “These new games seem like FOBTs by the back door and look like a pretty disgraceful example of bad faith by the bookmakers involved. They appear to be trying to cheat the system.

“The gambling industry fought FOBTs reform tooth and nail, never accepting the terrible social harm they caused. They clearly haven’t learned any lessons – if they won’t reform themselves a Labour government is determined to do it for them.”