Sports Minister Tracey Crouch Resigns over 'Delay' To Betting Crackdown

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Sports Minister Tracey Crouch resigns over 'hold-up' to betting crackdown

sports betting Minister Tracey Crouch resigns over 'hold-up' to wagering crackdown

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1 November 2018

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sports betting minister Tracey Crouch has actually resigned over "hold-ups" to a crackdown on maximum stakes for fixed-odds sports betting machines.


Chancellor Philip Hammond stated in Monday's Budget that the cut in stakes from ₤ 100 to ₤ 2 would enter 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 but principles stick with us permanently."


Prime Minister Theresa May stated she was dissatisfied Ms Crouch had resigned but there had been "no hold-up in bringing forward this crucial procedure".


High stakes for fixed-odds sports betting machines


' I lost ₤ 250,000 on wagering machines'


sports betting device stakes to be cut to ₤ 2


The government has rejected Labour claims that MPs had been led to think the cut would enter force at the start of the next tax year, in April 2019. They recommended the cut had actually been meant to be introduced in April 2020.


But in her resignation letter, Ms Crouch stated: "Unfortunately, application of these changes are now being delayed till October 2019 due to dedications made by others to those with signed up interests.


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End of twitter post by Tracey Crouch


"From the time of the statement to lower stakes and its application, over ₤ 1.6 bn will be lost on these devices.


"In addition, two people will tragically take their lives every day due to gambling-related issues and, because of that as much as any other, I think this hold-up is unjustifiable."


She added: "It is a reality of federal government that ministers should adhere to cumulative duty and can not disagree with policy, not to mention when it is policy made versus your dreams relating to your own portfolio."


'God bless'


Among those applauding her on social networks, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby tweeted, external that she was "principled and bold" adding: "May God bless her commitment to doing right."


Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson tweeted, external that she "is worthy of huge credit not just for her campaign but for sticking up for her concepts".


Fixed-odds wagering terminals produce ₤ 1.8 bn in income a year for the wagering industry, according to the Gambling Commission, external, and taxes of ₤ 400m for the federal government.


Currently, people can bet up to ₤ 100 every 20 seconds on electronic casino games such as roulette. Anti-gambling campaigners say the devices let players lose money too rapidly, resulting in addiction and social, psychological and financial issues.


But bookies have actually warned the cut in stakes might lead to countless outlets closing.


In her reaction to Ms Crouch, the PM stated the federal government had actually listened to those who wanted the changes to come into impact sooner than April 2020 and "had actually concurred that the changes must be in place within the year - by October 2019".


In his Budget on Monday, the chancellor said the modification to fixed-odds stakes would enter into force next October at the very same time as modifications to duty charged on sports betting companies based abroad but running in the UK.


The government states co-ordinating the date of the 2 changes would indicate the government would not be struck by a fall in tax income.


Who is Tracey Crouch?


The 43-year-old MP has 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


Grammar school educated at Folkestone School for Girls, she went on to get a degree in law and politics from Hull University


She had actually worked for different Tory MPs, including Michael Howard and David Davis before representing election


She had her first child in 2016 and is believed to have actually been the very 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 market".


He praised Ms Crouch's "brave and principled decision" and said Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright "must be thoroughly ashamed" of prioritising "business interests over victims, earnings over public health and greed over excellent".


MPs from all sides of the House signed up with in his criticism. Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith stated it must 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 informed the BBC: "There are lots of people whose lives have actually been damaged by this addiction ... We require to do this very quickly, as rapidly as we can and in the meantime, the sports betting market will make about ₤ 1bn as an outcome of this hold-up. That's wrong."


Labour has actually informed the BBC that they will put down a change to the Finance Bill to try and bring in the modifications next April.

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