Unnamed Northern Ireland Bookmaker Arrested for having FOBTs

In a landmark case a bookmaker in Northern Ireland has been arrested for having Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs).

A file has already been sent to the Public Prosecution Service who will decide if the unnamed bookmaker will be charged and go to court for trial.

Currently there are some 600 FOBTs in Northern Ireland who has devolved powers on gaming which differ from the rest of the UK.

In Northern Ireland it is stated that a “Gaming Machine” has a maximum stake of £0.30, however a FOBT currently has a maximum of £100.

The bookmakers in Northern Ireland, Ladbrokes, William Hill, Paddy Power, Sean Graham, McLean’s and Toal’s argue that FOBTs are not classified as Gaming Machines and so do not fall in to the £0.30 stake.

It is understood that this arrest and case will be a test for the classification of FOBTs in Northern Ireland. The decision is not expected to be a quick one from the Prosecutors Office and if and when the Bookmaker in question will be named.