sports betting Minister Tracey Crouch resigns over 'delay' to wagering crackdown
1 November 2018
sports betting minister Tracey Crouch has actually resigned over "hold-ups" to a crackdown on maximum stakes for fixed-odds wagering devices.
Chancellor Philip Hammond stated in Monday's Budget that the cut in stakes from ₤ 100 to ₤ 2 would come into force in October 2019.
Ms Crouch said pushing back the date was "unjustifiable" and it could cost the lives of problem bettors.
She tweeted: "Politicians reoccur however concepts stick with us permanently."
Prime Minister Theresa May stated she was disappointed Ms Crouch had actually resigned however there had been "no delay in advancing this essential step".
High stakes for fixed-odds wagering makers
' I lost ₤ 250,000 on wagering machines'
sports betting maker stakes to be cut to ₤ 2
The government has actually rejected Labour claims that MPs had actually been led to think the cut would come into force at the start of the next tax year, in April 2019. They recommended the cut had actually been planned to be introduced in April 2020.
But in her letter, Ms Crouch said: "Unfortunately, execution of these changes are now being postponed up until October 2019 due to commitments made by others to those with registered interests.
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End of twitter post by Tracey Crouch
"From the time of the statement to decrease stakes and its application, over ₤ 1.6 bn will be lost on these makers.
"In addition, two individuals will tragically take their lives every day due to gambling-related issues and, for that reason as much as any other, I believe this delay is unjustifiable."
She included: "It is a truth of government that ministers need to stick to cumulative obligation and can not disagree with policy, not to mention when it is policy made against your dreams associating with your own portfolio."
'God bless'
Among those praising her on social media, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby tweeted, external that she was "principled and bold" including: "May God bless her dedication to doing right."
Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson tweeted, external that she "is worthy of huge credit not simply for her project however for sticking up for her principles".
Fixed-odds sports betting terminals create ₤ 1.8 bn in earnings a year for the wagering market, according to the Gambling Commission, external, and taxes of ₤ 400m for the federal government.
Currently, people can wager up to ₤ 100 every 20 seconds on electronic casino games such as live roulette. Anti-gambling advocates state the makers let players lose cash too quickly, resulting in addiction and social, psychological and monetary problems.
But bookmakers have actually cautioned the cut in stakes could result in countless outlets closing.
In her action to Ms Crouch, the PM stated the federal government had actually listened to those who wanted the changes to come into effect earlier than April 2020 and "had agreed that the changes ought to remain in location within the year - by October 2019".
In his Budget on Monday, the chancellor said the change to fixed-odds stakes would enter force next October at the exact same time as modifications to task charged on gaming companies based abroad however operating in the UK.
The government states co-ordinating the date of the two modifications would suggest the federal government would not be hit by a fall in tax income.
Who is Tracey Crouch?
The 43-year-old MP has actually represented Chatham and Aylesford, in Kent, since 2010
She was promoted to the front bench as sports betting minister in 2015
She is understood for her opposition to fox searching and her love of football - she is a competent FA coach
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Grade school educated at Folkestone School for Girls, she went on to get a degree in law and politics from Hull University
She had worked for numerous Tory MPs, including Michael Howard and David Davis before representing election
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She had her very first child in 2016 and is thought to have actually been the first Tory minister to take maternity leave
But in the Commons on Thursday, Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson accused the government of "capitulating to the sports betting industry".
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He praised Ms Crouch's "courageous and principled decision" and stated Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright "must be thoroughly ashamed" of prioritising "corporate interests over victims, profits over public health and greed over good".
MPs from all sides of your house participated his criticism. Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith stated it should be talked about as part of the Finance Bill later on this month.
Week ahead in Parliament: The Finance Bill
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He told the BBC: "There are lots of individuals whose lives have been damaged by this dependency ... We need to do this really quickly, as rapidly as we can and in the meantime, the gambling industry will make about ₤ 1bn as a result of this delay. That's wrong."
Labour has informed the BBC that they will put down a change to the Finance Bill to attempt and bring in the changes next April.
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Sports Minister Tracey Crouch Resigns over 'Delay' To Betting Crackdown
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