The delay has only intensified the already furious debate over the amount of harm caused by FOBTs versus the potential impact of curbing them. Bookmakers argue that a £2 stake would effectively kill off FOBTs, which provide more than half of their annual revenue – about £1.8bn a year. A £2 stake, they have said, would result in the closure of hundreds of high street bookmakers and cost up to 20,000 jobs. The Association of British Bookmakers has fought a bitter lobbying battle with Bacta, the amusement arcade body and casino operators, who want to see FOBT stakes cut and could benefit if gamblers choose their products instead. Within the government, the drive to cut FOBT stakes initially met with opposition from the Treasury, which was concerned about the impact on its tax take.

Source: The Guardian May 16, 2018 17:30 UTC