UK bookmakers Betfred and Paddy Power Betfair have been warned by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) not to bypass new rules issued by the Government and regulators to slash maximum bets on FOBT’s from £100 down to £2, which came in to force on April 1st.
High Stake Roulette-Style Games
On the day the rules were enforced to eliminate problem gamblers and severe gambling addiction, it was reported Paddy Power Betfair and Betfred launched new, high-stake Roulette-style games with maximum bets ranging from £100 to £500. The UKGC slammed the two bookmakers for swerving the new ruling and they could now face regulatory action. The operators in question have today taken the games off the market pending talks with authorities.William Hill had prepared to launch their own version of a Roulette-Style game but have since declined to do so. It has been reported that senior staff that commissioned these games may be investigated from the UKGC.
Damage To Business
High Street bookmakers had warned the Government and regulators the new ruling could have a detrimental affect on the high street shops and jobs as they have reported shop closures and redundancies are imminent.Bookmakers feel they have had no support from authorities over the damage the new ruling will have on their high street business, so went ahead and launched the high stake games. The UKGC who have investigated these games and are still in talks with the bookmakers responsible, but until an agreement is reached, these high stake games have been removed from betting shops.