Extract from DDCMS oral
questions in the Commons: Fixed Odds Betting Terminals:
Maximum Stake
(Harrow East) (Con):
When and how his Department identified that the date of the
decision by the House on the statutory instrument to reduce the
maximum stake on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals will affect the
amount that GVC Holdings plc has to pay to former Ladbrokes
shareholders.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Digital,
Culture, Media and Sport (Mims Davies): We are taking
decisive action to ensure that we have a responsible gambling
industry that continues to contribute to economic growth while
protecting the most vulnerable in our society from
gambling-related harm. Such commercial arrangements are a matter
for the industry and were not a factor when the Government
determined their policy to reduce the stakes on B2 machines.
: I thank my hon.
Friend for that answer and congratulate her on her well-deserved
promotion. When the offshore gambling company GVC bought
Ladbrokes for £3.9 billion, £700 million was contingent on the
date on which statutory instruments were submitted by the
Government on reducing the odds on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals.
Does she think that the shareholders of Ladbrokes, including UK
pension companies and employees, should get that £700 million, or
should the offshore gambling company GVC pocket it and use it for
irresponsible gambling adverts?
: I thank my hon.
Friend for making an important point about being responsible in
this industry. We have been very clear that we were going to be
acting in this space. As the Secretary of State said during an
urgent question on 1 November, when determining policy in this
area, it would not be
“proper for Government to take account of such commercial
arrangements”.—[Official Report, 1 November 2018; Vol. 648, c.
1064.]
Extract from Lords
debate on Young People
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State,
Department for Education (Lord Agnew of Oulton)
(Con):...The right reverend Prelate the , the noble Lord,
, and my noble friend raised the important issue
of youth gambling. There are strict controls to prevent underage
gambling in licensed premises or online. GambleAware is working
to provide resources for teachers and to support parents to have
conversations. The Government published a review of gambling
machines and social responsibility in May of this year. Key
measures included reducing the maximum stake
on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals from
£20 to £2, a major responsible gambling advertising campaign and
a plan of action by the Gambling Commission to strengthen player
protections online...
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