The game features a maximum stake of £500, five times what was possible on the FOBT games that are now banned. The game, called Virtual Cycling, allows gamblers to place bets on a piece of paper obtained over the counter, showing a graphic similar to a roulette table. Paddy Power’s Pick ‘n’ 36 game Photograph: Rob Booth/The Guardian “We are watching very closely to see how the industry reacts to this measure and will not hesitate to act if we see evidence of harm.”īetfred began offering a roulette-style game on Monday, even as restrictions on FOBTs were imposed despite vociferous lobbying by bookmakers, who warned 4,500 stores could close at the cost of 21,000 jobs. Sports minister Mims Davies said: “We cut FOBT stakes to £2 to protect vulnerable people from gambling-related harm, and operators should respect both the letter and the spirit of that change. William Hill is planning a similar product but has yet to launch it. The new games launched by bookmakers Betfred and Paddy Power prompted condemnation from campaigners, former sports minister Tracey Crouch and Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson, who branded them “FOBTs by the back door”. The Gambling Commission said on Monday it was investigating the new products.

But less than 48 hours after the industry regulator warned bookmakers against trying to bypass the law, high street firms were accused of doing just that.

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