1 William Hill Warns Prime Minister Over FOBTs Rule Change
jameswinder200 edited this page 2025-10-21 18:18:05 +08:00


William Hill cautions prime minister over FOBTs guideline change

15 May 2018

ByDominic O'Connell Today Programme Business Correspondent

The chairman of bookie William Hill has warned the prime minister his firm threats being bought by a foreign rival if it is damaged by new wagering rules.
bet9ja.com
In a letter to Theresa May, Roger Devlin stated changes to the quantity that can be banked on High Street gambling machines might strike jobs and earnings.
bet9ja.com
The government is expected to announce imminently a last choice on its review fixed-odds betting terminals.

He proposed harder rules on adverts and a levy to help problem bettors.
bet9ja.com
Currently, fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) enable players to stake up to ₤ 100 every 20 seconds.

A review's interim findings recommended cutting the optimal stakes to ₤ 30, however there have actually been reports that the amount could be cut to just ₤ 2.

Anti-gambling advocates, who have called the fixed-odds makers the "crack cocaine" of gaming, support the move.
bet9ja.com
Bookies, nevertheless, have cautioned that such a cut would result in the closure of thousands of outlets, a huge decrease in tax paid to the Treasury, and would have ripple effects on the horse racing market.
bet9ja.com
'Catastrophic'

Bookmakers support horse racing through an industry levy and offering cash prize.
bet9ja.com
Mr Devlin's letter, initially reported by Sky News and seen by the BBC, said UK gambling was "exceptionally well regulated".
bet9ja.com
He composed: "Sadly, I fear that your government will decide that is unneeded and doing not have in evidence - a decision that will also be devastating for a retail betting market using over 40,000 individuals."

"Consolidation within our sector continues and I would likewise not want to see the effect of a disproportionate ... result being a consider the name of William Hill being contributed to the list of companies now in foreign ownership," he said.

Mr Devlin stated William Hill supported a restriction on gambling marketing on television before the watershed, and a levy on the market to spend for education and treatment of problem gamblers.

Mr Devlin, who was designated chairman of the bookmaker earlier this promotion code year, is likewise chairman of the housebuilder Persimmon, which has actually been racked with controversy over a generous executive pay scheme.

Shares in William Hill have actually been struck hard by fears that would be cut, falling greatly last month on reports that the chancellor, Philip Hammond, would not oppose the move.
bet9ja.com
On Monday, though. William Hill shares jumped after the US Supreme Court handed down a judgment that would enable states to legalise sports betting, opening up a huge prospective new market to betting business.
bit.ly
High stakes for fixed-odds betting devices

12 May 2018

Bookmakers struck by tougher wager limit fears

24 April 2018

Betting maker wagers set for ₤ 30 limit

19 March 2018