November 2 – British sports minister Tracey Crouch resigned from the government on Thursday over what she claimed was an unjustifiable delay in reducing the maximum wager on gambling slot machines.
Crouch had campaigned for the maximum stake on electronic slot machines to be cut from £100 pounds to £2 to help tackle problem gambling and addiction.
The government approved the change but said this week it would take effect in October 2019, rather than in April as many had expected.
Crouch said pushing back the date was “unjustifiable” and it could cost the lives of problem gamblers.
She tweeted: “Politicians come and go but principles stay with us forever.”
In a resignation letter to Prime Minister Theresa May, Crouch said more money and lives would be lost to gambling during those six months. She tweeted Thursday: “It is with great sadness I have resigned from one of the best jobs in Government. Unfortunately, implementation of these changes are now being delayed until October 2019 due to commitments made by others to those with registered interests. I believe this delay is unjustifiable.”
In response, May insisted there had been no delay.
“Indeed as you know from your work as the minister responsible, we listened to those who wanted it to come into effect sooner than April 2020 and have agreed that the change should take place within the year – by October 2019,” May wrote.
“Having taken this decision to make this very significant cut in the maximum stakes, we must ensure that this change can be implemented in an orderly and effective manner to make sure it delivers the results we all want to see.”
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