Bookmakers Pull Brand-new Games After Gambling Commission Warning
bet9ja.com
Bookmakers pull new games after Gambling Commission cautioning
bet9ja.com
2 April 2019
bet9ja.com
Two leading UK bookies have pulled brand-new high stakes wagering games after a caution from the Gambling Commission.
Paddy Power and Betfred dealt with criticism their roulette-style games weakened new guidelines on fixed-odds betting.
bet9ja.com
The maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals was this week cut from ₤ 100 to ₤ 2, and the regulator alerted versus any efforts to prevent the rules.
bit.ly
Betfred stated it wanted more talks with the commission, while Paddy Power said its game was only a minimal trial.
The ₤ 2 cap on fixed-odds wagering terminals (FOBTs) was recommended by the Gambling Commission in March in 2015 and is backed by the government as part of efforts to minimize gambling-related damage.
The Betfred game included 2 cyclists on a screen in stores racing on a velodrome track with numbers on it. When the cyclist at the rear catches the one in front, the number they are on is the winning number.
The numbers are 1 to 36, mirroring those on a live roulette wheel, and other bets can be positioned on odd and even numbers, colours, rows and columns. Customers could wager up to ₤ 500.
Paddy Power's video game, with an optimum stake of ₤ 100 - the yohaig code level before this week's FOBT rule-change - likewise involved banking on numbers in between 1 and 36.
bet9ja.com
A Paddy Power representative stated: "This game was presented as part of a short trial in a selection of stores. The trial was stopped within 24 hr of beginning and this promotion code product will not be launched across our estate."
Act properly
Ahead of the commission's intervention, both firms drew fire from critics. Shadow culture minister Tom Watson explained them as "FOBTs through the yohaig code back door".
Tracey Crouch MP, who resigned as sports minister over the hold-up in cutting FOBT stakes, stated any attempt circumvent this promotion code week's modifications to the optimal stakes "would be morally irresponsible".
In a statement on Tuesday, Watson, executive director for enforcement at the commission, said: "We have actually been absolutely clear with operators about our expectations to act responsibly following the yohaig code stake cut implementation this week.
"We have told operators to remove new items which undermine the modifications, and we will investigate any other products that are not within the spirit and objective of the new rules."He stated that a 3rd bookmaker that was poised to launch a comparable item to those at Paddy Power and Betfred had been warned against doing so.
bit.ly
A Betfred spokesperson said: "We eliminated the virtual cycling video game and all associated marketing at 10.30 am today after conversations with the yohaig code Gambling Commission."
bet9ja.com
Bookmakers alerted over fixed-odds stake cut
30 March 2019
Most bars 'do not stop children betting'
15 November 2018
bit.ly