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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/nov/14/government-u-turn-expected-on-fobt-maximum-stake
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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Government U-turn expected on FOBT maximum stake | Government U-turn expected on FOBT maximum stake |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A cut in the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) is expected to be brought forward amid a growing rebellion that has made allies of MPs across the political spectrum. | A cut in the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) is expected to be brought forward amid a growing rebellion that has made allies of MPs across the political spectrum. |
| The chancellor, Philip Hammond, said in the budget that a reduction in FOBT stakes from £100 to £2 would not take effect until October next year, a decision that handed bookmakers a £900m windfall and triggered the resignation of the sports minister Tracey Crouch. | The chancellor, Philip Hammond, said in the budget that a reduction in FOBT stakes from £100 to £2 would not take effect until October next year, a decision that handed bookmakers a £900m windfall and triggered the resignation of the sports minister Tracey Crouch. |
| However, the culture secretary, Jeremy Wright, is expected to announce a U-turn on the policy in a written statement on Wednesday after pressure from campaigners and MPs to change the date to April 2019. | |
| Whitehall sources said MPs involved in efforts to bring the date forward had privately been told a change of policy was imminent. | Whitehall sources said MPs involved in efforts to bring the date forward had privately been told a change of policy was imminent. |
| The apparent volte-face comes less than 24 hours after Whitehall sources said the Treasury was holding firm in the face of a cross-party rebellion that left the government facing the prospect of being the first to suffer a defeat on its own budget bill since 1978. | The apparent volte-face comes less than 24 hours after Whitehall sources said the Treasury was holding firm in the face of a cross-party rebellion that left the government facing the prospect of being the first to suffer a defeat on its own budget bill since 1978. |
| More than 100 MPs – including senior Tory rebels such as Boris Johnson, Jacob Rees-Mogg and David Davis – had put their names to an amendment designed to force the government to bring forward the stake reduction. | More than 100 MPs – including senior Tory rebels such as Boris Johnson, Jacob Rees-Mogg and David Davis – had put their names to an amendment designed to force the government to bring forward the stake reduction. |
| Labour said it would support the amendment, meaning the government was all but certain to lose a vote that was expected to take place next week. | Labour said it would support the amendment, meaning the government was all but certain to lose a vote that was expected to take place next week. |
| The final straw is thought to have been a letter sent to the chief whip, Julian Smith, on Tuesday night by 12 parliamentary private secretaries – senior MPs who work for ministers. | The final straw is thought to have been a letter sent to the chief whip, Julian Smith, on Tuesday night by 12 parliamentary private secretaries – senior MPs who work for ministers. |
| They are understood to have urged the government to change course and avoid a needless and embarrassing defeat, particularly given that fraught negotiations over Theresa May’s Brexit deal are happening at the same time. | They are understood to have urged the government to change course and avoid a needless and embarrassing defeat, particularly given that fraught negotiations over Theresa May’s Brexit deal are happening at the same time. |
| The change of heart means that an increase in the duty levied on online casinos – from 15% to 21% – will also be brought forward because it is designed to make up for lost tax revenue on FOBTs. | The change of heart means that an increase in the duty levied on online casinos – from 15% to 21% – will also be brought forward because it is designed to make up for lost tax revenue on FOBTs. |
| Fixed-odds betting terminals | Fixed-odds betting terminals |
| Gambling | Gambling |
| Philip Hammond | Philip Hammond |
| Boris Johnson | Boris Johnson |
| Jacob Rees-Mogg | Jacob Rees-Mogg |
| David Davis | David Davis |
| news | news |
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