UK gaming sector: Regulator delivers a harsh verdict

After many months of procrastination, the UK government has finally delivered a verdict on the fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs), reducing stake limits from £100 to £2. Although not entirely a surprise, this is a disappointing result for the industry and will likely entail more than 3,500 shop closures. Also, while a decision has been made, there is still much uncertainty regarding timing and implementation. For online operators, there is a further blow, in the form of potential increases in gaming taxes at the next budget. This confirms recent speculation and is now widely expected to increase from 15% to 20%.

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