BREAKING NEWS: Government to reduce maximum stakes on FOBTs from £100 to £2, and increase Remote Gaming Duty
On 17 May 2018, the Government published the outcome of its long awaited review of gaming machines and social responsibility measures. The headline news is that the maximum permitted stake on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) will be reduced from £100 to £2, the lowest amount that was under consideration and the worst case scenario for the industry.
The decision follows advice published by the Gambling Commission in March 2018 aimed at reducing the risks that consumers face from gambling. While this decision has at its heart the protection of consumers, it will have a wide ranging financial impact on the gambling industry (and not just for those operating betting shops).