Gambling - B2 stake reduction brought forward to April 2019

In the recent Budget the Chancellor stated that the stake reduction on B2 gaming machines, which was announced by the Government in May 2018, from £100 to £2 would come into effect in October 2019.

The delay in the implementation of this measure, which enjoyed cross party support, was roundly criticised with prominent members of the Government’s back benches (including a former leader) and the Labour’s Tom Watson, calling for this decision to be reviewed.

The Government have now announced their decision to bring forward the implementation to April 2019, as was originally expected.  The re-think was too late however to stop the resignation of Tracey Crouch MP Minister for Sport and Civil Society who resigned following the Budget statement last month.