Paddy Power and Betfred Pull Controversial Games from Shops

By Simon Wright, Last updated Apr 3, 2019

Just two days ago the new maximum limit for Fixed Odds Betting Terminals came into force, reducing the controversial £100 maximum bet limit, to a more suitable £2 limit.

However, it appears that two bookmakers in the form of Paddy Power and Betfred have tried to circumnavigate the new maximum stake ruling, in the form of controversial roulette games. With the games being available to play within their shop estate on Monday, earlier this week.

Both Betfred and Paddy Power were accused of trying to bypass the new FOBT maximum stake, by the introduction of these games on Monday, the same day the new £2 limit came into force.

As a result of much criticism and the UKGC taking a keen interest, both Betfred and Paddy Power have now removed the new games.

Richard Watson, the UKGC’s executive director for enforcement, said: “We have been absolutely clear with operators about our expectations to act responsibly following the stake cut implementation this week. We have told operators to take down new products which undermine the changes, and we will investigate any other products that are not within the spirit and intention of the new rules.”

The games concerned were based on roulette, one being Virtual Cycling and the other called Pick ‘n’ 36. Both having the same odds and similarities to roulette, but allowing players to stake up to £500 in the case of Virtual Cycling in Betfred shops. Whilst the Pick ‘n’ 36 game available in Paddy Power shops allowed a maximum stake of £100.

Paddy Power have declined to comment, whilst Betfred have confirmed they have removed the Virtual Cycling Game and are now in discussions with the UK Gambling Commission about the introduction of the game. With a spokesman for the company saying: “We’ve taken down Virtual Cycling to allow further discussion with the Gambling Commission”.

A spokesperson for the campaign group ‘Gambling with Lives’ commenting on the introduction of the games by Paddy Power and Betfred said: “Was this a gesture of defiance that has now backfired? This all reinforces our call for all gambling products to be safety tested and licensed before they can be marketed.”

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