1 Bookmakers Pull Brand-new Games After Gambling Commission Warning
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Bookmakers pull brand-new games after Gambling Commission alerting

2 April 2019

Two leading UK bookmakers have pulled brand-new high stakes wagering games after a warning from the Gambling Commission.
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Paddy Power and Betfred dealt with criticism their roulette-style video games weakened brand-new guidelines on fixed-odds betting.

The maximum stake on fixed-odds wagering was this week cut from ₤ 100 to ₤ 2, and the regulator alerted against any efforts to prevent the rules.

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

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

The Betfred game included 2 bicyclists 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 even numbers, colours, rows and columns. Customers might bet up to ₤ 500.

Paddy Power's video game, with a maximum stake of ₤ 100 - the level before this promotion code week's FOBT rule-change - likewise included betting on numbers between 1 and 36.
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A Paddy Power spokesperson stated: "this promotion code game was presented as part of a short trial in a choice of shops. The trial was stopped within 24 hours of start and this item will not be introduced throughout our estate."
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Ahead of the commission's intervention, both companies drew fire from critics. Shadow culture minister Tom Watson explained them as "FOBTs through the back door".

Tracey Crouch MP, who resigned as sports minister over the hold-up in cutting FOBT stakes, stated any effort prevent today's changes to the optimal stakes "would be ethically careless".

In a statement on Tuesday, Richard Watson, executive director for enforcement at the commission, stated: "We have been definitely clear with operators about our expectations to act properly following the stake cut implementation today.
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"We have informed operators to remove brand-new items which undermine the changes, and we will examine any other items that are not within the yohaig code spirit and intention of the new guidelines."He said that a third bookmaker that was poised to release a similar product to those at Paddy Power and Betfred had been warned against doing so.
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A Betfred spokesman stated: "We removed the virtual biking video game and all associated marketing at 10.30 am today after discussions with the Gambling Commission."
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Bookmakers warned over fixed-odds stake cut
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