Bookmakers bending new FOBT rules

Bookmakers have been accused of trying to bend the rules regarding the reduction of bets on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) after an investigation by the Guardian revealed that roulette-style games with high stakes were being launched on the same day that the restrictions on the machines came into force.

The new law reducing the FOBT’s stakes from £100 down to £2 came into force yesterday as the result of a long running campaign which showed the problems faced by gambling addicts and their families.

Investigation ongoing

The Gambling Commission have stated that they will be investigating this latest move, having already sent out warnings to bookmakers who will try and bend the rules.

The Roulette style games have already been launched by Betfred and Paddy Power have caused outrage. Betfred’s game Virtual Cylcling allows punters to wager up to £500, and Paddy Power’s Pick ‘n’ 36 game punters can wager up to £100.

William Hill have also said that they have a new game Wonderball which they are testing at the moment, where the maximum wager will be £50.

A William Hill spokesman said: “We are committed to player protection under our ‘nobody harmed’ ambition and any product we may choose to launch will be fully assessed from this standpoint and will only be launched after full engagement with the regulator.”