Theresa May Forced Into Embarrassing Climbdown On Fixed-Odds Betting Terminals

March 26, 2020October 15, 2021 Doris Jensen

After an announcement was made by ministers saying that they will start taking action against betting terminals that have been known to cause gambling addiction among the public, Theresa May has been cornered into backing down as she faces significant resistance from campaigners and Members of Parliament.

Embarrassing Climbdown On Fixed-Odds Betting Terminals By Theresa

Just a fortnight ago, Tracey Crouch resigned from her position as a minister because of this controversial topic. The government had allegedly been holding back on the enforcement of tighter rules regarding gambling machines for half a year up until October of 2019, according to her. The climb down was made known on the same day as May was trying to garner support behind her cabinet in regard to a Brexit deal negotiated in Brussels on Tuesday.

What Are The Amendments?

Amendments had been put forward by over 70 Members of Parliament to the Finance Bill in an attempt to lower the biggest payable sum in the machines to £2 from £100 in April rather than October of 2019. It is expected that a vote will be held in the House of Commons sometime around next week. It will be led by Carolyn Harris from the Labour Party, Ronnie Cowan from the SNP, and the former work and pensions secretary, Ian Duncan Smith.

This move has been back by a few of the ex-Conservative cabinet ministers, such as David Davis, Boris Johnson, Priti Patel, Justine Greening, and Sir Michael Fallon. More than a dozen ministerial aides are allegedly going to resign from their positions if the prime minister does not back down over the machines, according to The Times newspaper. The prime minister while answering a question from Mr Duncan Smith in the House of Commons, had recognized the “strength of feeling” regarding the issue. She also mentioned that she knows how devastating addiction to gambling can be.

The culture secretary, Jeremy Wright, said in a ministerial statement that the government has already expounded its intentions in keeping powerless people safe as its foremost duty, however, the government should also not neglect the interests of the employees working in the gambling industry. Therefore, these aspects have to be taken into consideration and time is a factor that must be accounted for to ensure that a smooth transition will occur. However, the Parliament has made its intention known that the change is implemented earlier. The implementation will, therefore, be made in April 2019.

Wright also said that the gambling industry is expected to cooperate with the government to lessen the fallout of the implementation when it comes to jobs, they are also expected to help out the workers who will be impacted by the sped-up implementation. A cross-government group has also been established for this purpose and is all set to help out.

Tom Watson, the deputy leader of the Labour Party commented that this move demonstrated the catastrophic political judgement of Mr Wright and the chancellor Phillip Hammond. He commented that it was rather woeful that it required an honourable minister to resign and a cross-party protest in order to bring about the apparent and needed reforms regarding betting terminals. He further added that albeit this being embarrassing for Mr Wright, it was a day worth celebrating for many addicts and their families who have been wrecked by the addiction of gambling.