The Times has this morning reported, that the UK government will delay its implementation of an industry-wide £2 FOBT machine stake reduction until April 2020, citing that the UK Treasury has struck a ‘backroom deal’ with betting leadership. Last May, UK Culture Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed the government’s decision to reduce FOBTs wagering levels to £2 limit, stating that the …
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New Dawn… UK Racing prepares for new levy authority
The structure of British Racing governance is set to be revamped, in order to meet the demands of distributing the new horseracing betting levy which is inbound for April 2019. Last week, the governances of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), Horsemen’s Group and Racecourse Association moved to install a new Racing Authority which will oversee the management of racing’s upcoming levy …
Read More »OPTIMA joins call for FOBTs transition period
OPTIMA CEO Jacob Lopez has echoed a call from GVC for the government to afford UK bookmakers a reasonable transition period to adapt their retail business models. Lopez was consulted by SBC on yesterday’s announcement, which saw the government reject advice from the Gambling Commission by cutting stakes on B2 Gaming Machines (FOBTs) from £100 to £2. To cover the …
Read More »BHA backs government’s ‘industry judgement’ as DCMS seeks to extend Racing Levy’s reach
The British Horseracing Association (BHA), the regulatory body for UK racing has welcomed the government’s betting industry triennial review judgement. Despite the far-reaching impacts of the government’s decision to cut FOBTs machine wagering to a £2 limit, and further increase UK remote betting/gaming duties to offset treasury tax shortfalls, the BHA supports the industry changing decision. “The British Horseracing Authority …
Read More »GVC Holdings rules out judicial review of FOBT decision despite £160m hit
GVC Plc, the owner of Ladbrokes Coral, has appealed for time to implement the new £2 stake for B2 Gaming Machines, given that it will cost the company £160m as soon as the cut is implemented, and said that it does not intend to seek a judicial review of the DCMS‘ decision. In an update to the stock market, the …
Read More »William Hill predicts ‘unprecedented’ change will see 38% of shop estate unprofitable
William Hill has updated the market on the back of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) decision to reduce the maximum stake on B2 games from £100 to £2. Given the Government has specified its intended outcome, William Hill said it is providing preliminary guidance on the potential impact in order to help investors and analysts with their …
Read More »Online taxes to rise as FOBT stakes slashed to £2 despite evidence
The government has rejected advice from the Gambling Commission and the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board (RGSB) and cut stakes on B2 Gaming Machines – FOBTs – down from £100 to £2. The announcement was made this morning by DCMS minister Tracey Crouch and could have wide repercussions for the retail betting industry, horseracing and online gaming operations. Both William Hill CEO Philip …
Read More »May Day! Industry braces itself for incoming FOBTs £2 cut
The betting industry’s regulatory agenda has reached a speculative overdrive, as concerns grow as to how and when the UK government will move to implement its anticipated £2 cut on FOBTs machine wagering levels. The polemic subject matter of FOBTs wagering has seen contrasting news stories published this weekend by multiple sources, each specifying potential different outcomes to the government’s long-awaited …
Read More »Scott Longley: The £2 reckoning – betting & racing face their nightmare
Following the conclusion of this week’s local elections, the Conservative government will likely move to implement a £2 FOBTs wagering limit, impacting all UK betting stakeholders. SBC contributor Scott Longley assess whether the government understands the consequences of its drastic cut, or if it can justify its FOBTs policy logic… _________________ Politics has trumped economics in the final stages of …
Read More »Waiting Game… Unsure Hammond delays industry FOBTs judgement
UK news sources have this morning, reported that the government will delay once more it’s pending triennial review judgement on industry FOBTs wagering and advertising standards. Parliament insiders have detailed that UK Chancellor Phillip Hammond, has put the government’s decision ‘on hold’, with the judgement to be made following the conclusion of England’s local council elections on 3 May. According …
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