Bookmakers pull new games after Gambling Commission alerting

2 April 2019

Two leading UK bookmakers have pulled brand-new high stakes wagering video games after a warning from the Gambling Commission.

Paddy Power and Betfred dealt with criticism their roulette-style video games weakened new guidelines on fixed-odds wagering.

The optimum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals was this week cut from ₤ 100 to ₤ 2, and the regulator warned versus any attempts to prevent the rules.

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

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

The Betfred game included two 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, matching those on a roulette wheel, and other bets can be put on odd or even numbers, colours, rows and columns. Customers might wager 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 - also included betting on numbers between 1 and 36.

A Paddy Power spokesperson stated: "this promotion code video game was introduced as part of a brief trial in a choice of shops. The trial was stopped within 24 hours of beginning and this item will not be launched throughout our estate."

Act properly

Ahead of the commission's intervention, both firms drew fire from critics. Shadow culture minister Tom Watson described them as "FOBTs through the back door".

Tracey Crouch MP, who resigned as sports minister over the delay in cutting FOBT stakes, stated any effort circumvent this week's modifications to the optimal stakes "would be morally reckless".

In a statement on Tuesday, Richard Watson, executive director for enforcement at the commission, said: "We have been definitely clear with operators about our expectations to act properly following the stake cut implementation today.

"We have told operators to take down brand-new products which undermine the modifications, and we will examine any other items that are not within the spirit and objective of the brand-new rules."He stated that a third bookmaker that was poised to release a similar product to those at Paddy Power and Betfred had been cautioned against doing so.

A Betfred representative said: "We removed the virtual biking game and all associated marketing at 10.30 am today after conversations with the Gambling Commission."

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