Tracey Crouch has "absolutely no regrets" about her decision to resign as sports minister amid a row about government action to slash the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs).

The Chatham and Aylesford MP, a leading campaigner on the issue, stepped down on Thursday following an announcement in the budget that the cut from £100 to £2 will not take place until October 2019.

Several backbenchers claimed they had been assured it was due to happen at the beginning of May.

Speaking to reporters in her constituency on Friday, Ms Crouch said: "I have absolutely no regrets about my decision whatsoever. I'm perfectly comfortable with my decision."

And, despite quitting the government, Ms Crouch offered her backing to Theresa May.

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"The prime minister has an absolutely important job to do to deliver on Brexit, and I look forward to being a supportive member of her backbenches," she added.

Image: Currently, gamblers can bet up to £100 every 20 seconds on fixed-odds betting terminals

Ms Crouch's departure is more bad news for Mrs May, who has had to contend with several ministers leaving their posts since the 2017 election.

FOBTs, on which users can gamble away up to £100 every 20 seconds, have been dubbed the "crack cocaine" of betting machines by campaigners, who say they are dangerously addictive.

The betting industry has warned that thousands of people could lose their jobs as a result.

In her resignation letter, Ms Crouch claimed "implementation of these changes are now being delayed until October 2019 due to commitments made by others to those with registered interests".

"From the time of the announcement to reduce stakes and its implementation over £1.6bn will be lost on these machines, a significant amount of which will be in our most deprived areas including my own constituency," she said.

"In addition, two people will tragically take their lives every day due to gambling-related problems and for that reason as much as any other I believe this delay is unjustifiable.

"The alignment of the stake reduction with an increase in remote gaming duty was a condition put on by the Treasury to provide fiscal neutrality but is not a technical necessity, so there is no reason why implementation cannot come in sooner than October."

It is with great sadness I have resigned from one of the best jobs in Government. Thank you so much for all the very kind messages of support I have received throughout the day. Politicians come and go but principles stay with us forever. pic.twitter.com/rD8bEbCQcK — Tracey Crouch (@tracey_crouch) November 1, 2018

In response, Mrs May insisted there had been "no delay".

She said: "We listened to those who wanted it to come into effect sooner than April 2020 and have agreed that the changes should be in place within the year - by October 2019."

The PM defended the time-frame, saying "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".

In her letter responding to Tracey Crouch’s resignation, Theresa May insists there has been “no delay” in reducing the maximum stake on FOBTs: pic.twitter.com/whqfBWeF0T — Alan McGuinness (@Alan_McGuinness) November 1, 2018

Iain Duncan Smith, the former work and pensions secretary, told Sky News he was "desperately sorry" to see Ms Crouch go, adding that the machines are "very addictive" and cause "massive problems".

Conservative MP Boris Johnson, who quit as foreign secretary in July over Brexit, wrote on Twitter: "Congratulations to @tracey_crouch who deserves huge credit not just for her campaign but for sticking up for her principles."

Shadow culture secretary Tom Watson told Sky News: "This is one of those of those occasions - rare these days - where a minister has genuinely resigned with integrity and on a point of principle.

"We're very sad to see Tracey Crouch go over this very serious issue."

Mr Watson claimed Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright had "sold his colleague down the river and should have stood up to big gambling".

Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine said: "These machines are a blight on our society and undeniably damaging to vulnerable people.

"Tracey Crouch knows this, so why doesn't the prime minister? Theresa May should come to the floor of the House and explain why this will not be implemented for another year."

Mr Wright defended the government, adding betting companies' profits was not a consideration over the timing of the cut to FOBT stakes.

He repeatedly refused to confirm whether Ms Crouch had resigned during an urgent question in parliament earlier on Thursday, but did praise her for doing an "outstanding" job.</s>"Thank you so much for all the very kind messages of support I have received throughout the day. Politicians come and go but principles stay with us forever."

Ms Crouch tweeted her resignation letter saying "it is with great sadness I have resigned from one of the best jobs in Government."

Tracey Crouch has resigned as Sports Minister amid a row of delays to fixed-odds betting terminal changes.

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The Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright insisted today there is no delay.

"I've heard language twisted to various uses in this place, but the idea that a move from April 2020 to October 2019 is a delay is going a little far. It is not a delay", said Mr Wright.

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said the decision to bring in the change in October 2019 was a delay and urged Mr Wright to bring the date forward to April 2019.

"I was under the impression then that the industry itself recognised they would need nine to 12 months to implement this," he said.

"That would have taken us to around about April or May next year."

"I say to him, it is not too late. For the sake of those people whose families and lives have been destroyed - and there may yet be more, many more, to follow them - I urge him to think again and bring forward the date so we may end this scourge", said Mr Duncan Smith.</s>The delay in implementing a planned and much needed reduction in the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals is completely unacceptable.

These machines are a blight on our society and undeniably damaging to vulnerable people.

The Government’s inaction is ruining lives and they must not be allowed to continue making these excuses that only benefit bookmakers.

When the Minister responsible for a policy steps down, you know the Government is moving in the wrong direction.

The £2 maximum stake for fixed-odds betting terminals must come into force immediately. The damage that is being done to individuals by these machines will persist with hundreds of pounds being lost in seconds, day after day.

Theresa May should explain to the country why this will not be implemented for another year.</s>Tory rising star Tracey Crouch has resigned as a Minister after a furious row over "crack cocaine of gambling" betting machines.

She had overseen plans to cut the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) to just £2, from £100 today, in her role as Sport and Civil Society Minister.

But Chancellor Philip Hammond's Budget earlier this week put back the date for the new rules from April 2019 to October, so the Government would have time to launch a new gaming tax to make up the loss to the Treasury.

It prompted fury from campaigners who argue that the machines are ruining lives. And Ms Crouch has now resigned in protest.

In her resignation letter to Theresa May, Ms Crouch wrote: "I know there is never a good time to resign and appreciate that this will be an unwelcome distraction, but as the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said in the House this morning, it is a fact of Government that ministers must adhere to collective responsibility and cannot disagree with policy, let alone when it is policy made against your wishes relating to your own portfolio."

In a Twitter post, she added: "Politicians come and go but principles stay with us forever."

The Conservative MP was praised by Labour Deputy Leader Tom Watson, MP for West Bromwich East, who said she had been let down by the Culture Secretary, Warwickshire MP Jeremy Wright (Con Kenilworth and Southam).

Mr Watson said: "Tracey Crouch has taken a courageous and principled decision to resign from the Government over Jeremy Wright’s decision to delay cutting the maximum stake on FOBTs.

“She poured her heart and soul into a significant review of these destructive machines, faced down a systematic lobbying attempt by the gambling industry and took the right decision for those suffering from problem gambling, their families and communities.

“The new Secretary of State has threatened all of this good work. He has prioritised corporate interests over victims, profits over public health and greed over good. He should be thoroughly ashamed.”

A leading campaigner against fixed-odds betting terminals is Matt Zarb-Cousin, a former University of Birmingham student.

He revealed that he lost £2,500 in just one day playing fixed odds betting terminals , said to be “crack cocaine” for gamblers because of their addictive nature.

And he went on to blow an astonishing £20,000 while studying politics at the university and living in Selly Oak .

Mr Cousin now works as a press officer, and was a senior adviser and spokesman for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.</s>Sports minister Tracey Crouch has resigned over delays to cut the maximum stake for fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs).

It comes after Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright insisted there had not been a six-month delay – despite Labour claiming he had betrayed the ‘promise’ of his two predecessors.

The change will come in from October 2019, but former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith urged Mr Wright to bring the date forward to April 2019.

Tom Watson, the shadow culture secretary, said it was ‘inconceivable’ the Government would delay the policy.

He asked in an urgent question to the Commons: ‘Has the minister resigned? If not, why is she not here answering this urgent question or sitting by him on the frontbench?’

Mr Wright replied: ‘I think that (Ms Crouch) is doing an outstanding job as the Minister for Sports and Civil Society and (Mr Watson) is right that she deserves a large part of the credit for the substantive change that this Government is making.’

He also explained he was responding because the urgent question related to a change in Government policy, an area, he told MPs, for which he took responsibility.

Labour MPs repeatedly shouted from the benches: ‘Has she resigned?’

It has now been confirmed that she has resigned.

The Culture Secretary added in the Commons: ‘I’ve heard language twisted to various uses in this place, but the idea that a move from April 2020 to October 2019 is a delay is going a little far. It is not a delay.’

Mr Duncan Smith begged to differ, saying the industry itself had recognised they could be ready by April 2019 and Mr Wright should hold them to the earlier date.

‘I was under the impression then that the industry itself recognised they would need nine to 12 months to implement this,’ he said.

‘That would have taken us to around about April or May next year.’

‘I say to him, it is not too late.

‘For the sake of those people whose families and lives have been destroyed, and there may yet be more, many more, to follow them, I urge him to think again and bring forward the date so we may end this scourge.’

Labour MP Carolyn Harris, who chairs the all-party parliamentary group on FOBTs, said she was ‘incandescent’ over the decision and suggested Ms Crouch would be too, as she made a passionate call for more immediate action.

She said: ‘I am incandescent, along with other members of this House, including, I would argue, the Minister for Sport, who if she does resign will be a great loss to the frontbenches because her integrity and bravery surpasses anyone else I see in here today.

‘What is happening to the families who are losing children, what is happening to the children who don’t get Christmas presents because of an addictive parent?

‘What happens to the people who go to food banks because they have an addiction to these machines?

‘Don’t give me warm words, give me action, April 2019, we cannot lose any more lives because of these dreadful, dreadful machines.’

‘The tragedy of lives lost to suicide has to be our absolute priority here and there’s good evidence, and I would urge him to bring this in.’

Downing Street insisted the October 2019 timetable set out in the Budget was not expected to change.

A Number 10 spokeswoman said the change would be introduced ‘exactly when it was set out in the Budget’.</s>The Bishop of St Albans says he is appalled that new restrictions on fixed-odds betting machines will not be introduced before October 2019.

Ministers have agreed to cut the maximum bet from £100 to £2 as part of a crackdown on problem-gambling, but the change will only come into force in a year's time.

Reverend Alan Smith, told Radio 4's PM programme the decision on timing was "highly likely to lead to a number of deaths".

The government denies the policy has been delayed and says it must be implemented in "an orderly and effective manner to make sure it delivers the results we all want to see".</s>Tracey Crouch has resigned as Sports and Civil Society Minister amid a row over delays to cut the maximum stake for fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs).

Crouch is unhappy the cap on FOBTs bets being reduced from £100 to £2 will not come in until October 2019.

The MP tweeted: "It is with great sadness I have resigned from one of the best jobs in Government. Thank you so much for all the very kind messages of support I have received throughout the day. Politicians come and go but principles stay with us forever."

The move came after the Government made it clear it was standing firm when Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liz Truss failed to give ground during the Budget debate in the Commons.

Truss told MPs that the Government is "certainly happy to discuss" the matter, but gave no indication of a change of policy.

Crouch has been a leading campaigner in reducing the maximum stake for FOBTs.

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith joined cross-party calls to bring the change forward to April 2019.

Tom Watson, the shadow culture secretary, tweeted praise for Crouch saying: "She poured her heart and soul into a significant review of these destructive machines, faced down a systematic lobbying attempt by the gambling industry and took the right decision for those suffering from problem gambling, their families and communities."</s>Tracey Crouch has said she has "absolutely no regrets" about her decision to resign in protest at a delay in introducing a cut to the maximum stake for fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs). The former sports minister's action drew applause from across the political spectrum and won praise from the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. Meanwhile questions were raised over why Theresa May allowed Ms Crouch to resign over the issue. Sources told ITV News Political Correspondent Paul Brand it was "a complete own-goal and the PM should have budged".

The MP resigned from her ministerial post after insisting that not cutting the maximum wager on FOBTs from £100 to £2 until October 2019 was "unjustifiable" and indicated it could cost lives. The move appeared to energise support for bringing in a bet limit earlier, with talk of Mrs May facing a potential rebel amendment to the Finance Bill later this month.

Asked about her resignation on Friday morning, Ms Crouch said: "I have absolutely no regrets about my decision whatsoever, I'm perfectly comfortable with my decision." She added that she was looking forward to "being a supportive member of the backbenches". There was support for Ms Crouch's stance from all sides of the Commons. Labour's Deputy Leader Tom Watson said her resignation had "caused fury" on both sides of the House of Commons. "We think she goes with her integrity intact but we're very disappointed because we wanted to implement the policy that she developed," Mr Watson said. "If any good comes out of the resignation of a well-respected minister it will be that finally the Government will recognise that there is a majority in the House for changes and that might mean we can bring those reforms forward again so that they're not delayed and there's not more misery caused in the gambling sector." Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson, International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt and Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom were also among those to speak warmly about Ms Crouch after she quit.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby tweeted that Ms Crouch was "principled and courageous" for resigning over the issue. Ms Crouch had been a leading campaigner in reducing the maximum stake for FOBTs. In a hard-hitting resignation letter to the prime minister, Ms Crouch said: "Unfortunately, implementation of these changes are now being delayed until October 2019 due to commitments made by others to those with registered interests. "From the time of the announcement to reduce stakes and its implementation, over #1.6 billion will be lost on these machines. "In addition, two people will tragically take their lives every day due to gambling-related problems and, for that reason as much as any other, I believe this delay is unjustifiable."</s>A minister is considering quitting over delays to cutting the stakes on ‘crack cocaine’ gambling machines, it emerged last night.

Sports and civil society minister Tracey Crouch is unhappy the cut to the maximum stake on fixed odds betting terminals – from £100 to £2 – will not come into force until next October.

Campaigners have called for the Treasury to bring in the change from April, but this was rejected by Chancellor Philip Hammond in the Budget on Monday. Last night Miss Crouch refused to rule out quitting when contacted by the Mail.

She is on a visit to the US and due to return to the UK this morning.

A senior source said she was furious over the delay. Last night Downing Street sources made clear Miss Crouch had not resigned.

The Government agreed to slash the stakes on the highly addictive gambling machines after a campaign by the Mail and mounting evidence of the damage they cause. Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said: ‘I am deeply concerned. The Government took a big bold decision to reduce the stake to £2.

‘Fixed odds betting terminals are much more addictive and cause greater harm. It has been obvious that it is causing real harm to families. The gambling industry have fought it tooth and nail and succeeded in securing a delay.

‘Families will be in a terrible plight if this is allowed to stay for the next six months. Tracey is really upset about it, she worked really hard to get it done.’

FOBTs offer casino-style games such as roulette in bookmaker shops. Currently players can gamble stakes of up to £100 every 20 seconds. Miss Crouch and Matt Hancock, the former culture secretary, secured a major victory when Mrs May agreed to slash the stake.

But Jeremy Wright, the new Culture Secretary, is said to be less keen on the policy amid concerns that cutting the stakes too soon will hit bookmakers.

When the crackdown was first announced it was due to come in from April 2020. The delay was designed to give bookmakers and the gambling industry time to adjust to the change. It also allowed the Treasury to introduce taxes to offset the loss of revenue, which will hit offshore betting internet sites.

Carolyn Harris, the Labour MP who chairs an all-party parliamentary group on the machines, said the delay was ‘immoral and exploitative’.

Downing Street said the October deadline was ‘a balance between making sure we protect those who work in the industry and making sure that we bring in this really important change’.</s>Tracey Crouch dramatically quit as a culture minister tonight in a furious Budget row over curbs to 'crack cocaine' betting machines.

Ms Crouch is angry at Chancellor Philip Hammond delaying the slashing of the maximum stake on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) from £100 to £2 to help problem gamblers.

She said tonight she was quitting with 'great sadness' but warned the Prime Minister two addicted gamblers kill themselves every day making the delay 'unjustifiable'.

Ms Crouch said the delay would mean people ploughing £1.6billion into the machines between the day of the announcement and the final delivery of reform.

In response, Theresa May denied bringing in the lower stake in October 2019 was a delay to the policy.

The PM insisted it was sooner than originally planned and allowed the reform to be delivered in an 'orderly and effective way'.

Ms Crouch's resignation is a major to blow Mr Hammond's Budget which has so far been well received and left Labour fighting itself over tax cuts.

Ms Crouch said tonight: 'It is with great sadness I have resigned from one of the best jobs in Government.

'Thank you so much for all the very kind messages of support I have received throughout the day. Politicians come and go but principles stay with us forever.'

Theresa May is expected to write a response to Ms Crouch's resignation letter later tonight.

The FOBTs reform means the Treasury giving up huge tax revenues and campaigners believe the reform has been delayed until October 2019.

If it cannot calm rebels, the Government faces an embarrassing defeat when the issue returns to the Commons later this autumn.

Ms Crouch's resignation tarnishes an otherwise successful Budget for the Chancellor, who delivered billions for the NHS and tax cuts for 32 million workers.

As the four day Budget debate ended, former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith demanded concessions from Ms Truss.

She said: 'We have brought the date forward for the FOBTs by six months.

'I don't believe it is an issue for the Finance Bill but I am happy to discuss it with you about what more we can do.'

After the Budget on Monday, the Treasury insisted delaying the measure until the autumn of 2019 was to take account of thousands of people working in bookies.

Former Foreign Secretary and leadership rival to Mrs May Boris Johnson backed Ms Crouch.

He said: 'Congratulation to Tracey Crouch who deserves huge credit not just for her campaign but for sticking up for her principles.'

Shadow culture secretary Tom Watson said: 'Tracey Crouch has taken a courageous and principled decision to resign from the Government over Jeremy Wright's decision to delay cutting the maximum stake on FOBTs.

'She poured her heart and soul into a significant review of these destructive machines, faced down a systematic lobbying attempt by the gambling industry and took the right decision for those suffering from problem gambling, their families and communities.

It is with great sadness that I write to tender my resignation as Parliamentary Under Secretary for Sport and Civil Society. Your personal support earlier this year for a reduction in the stake of fixed odds betting terminals was incredibly welcome and a real reflection of your ambitions set out in your very first speech on the steps of Downing Street to support vulnerable people against the power of big business. I cannot begin to explain how many people got in touch to congratulate Government on its stance, including addicts, their families and also, sadly, those who have been left behind after loved ones took their own lives as a consequence of addiction. Unfortunately, implementation of these changes are now being delayed until October 2019 due to commitments made by others to those with registered interests. From the time of the announcement to reduce stakes and its implementation over £1.6bn will be lost on these machines, a significant amount of which will be in our most deprived areas including my own constituency. In addition, two people will tragically take their lives every day due to gambling related problems and for that reason as much as any other I believe this delay is unjustifiable. The alignment of the stake reduction with an increase in remote gaming duty was a condition put on by the Treasury to provide fiscal neutrality but is not a technical necessity, so this is no reason why implementation cannot come in sooner than October. I know there is never a good time to resign and appreciate that this will be an unwelcome distraction, but as the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said in the House this morning, it is a fact of Government that ministers must adhere to collective responsibility and cannot disagree with policy, let alone when it is policy made against your wishes relating to your own portfolio. I would like to place on the record my enormous gratitude to the amazing team of civil servants who have helped me over the past three and a half years in post. I am very proud of what we have achieved in that time, including the sports strategy, the gambling review, the Civil Society strategy and of course the most recent loneliness strategy, which I was humbled to lead on your behalf. I have had the privilege of meeting many charities, volunteers and social enterprises working collectively to support and enhance civil society; cheered on our summer and winter Olympic and Paralympic athletes; and have attended almost every major sporting event meeting great sports men and women, past, present and future. I hope you understand my position and accept my resignation with the sadness it is tended.

'The new Secretary of State has threatened all of this good work. He has prioritised corporate interests over victims, profits over public health and greed over good. He should be thoroughly ashamed.'

Earlier, Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright dodged questions over whether she had threatened to resign in protest at foot-dragging over Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs).

He also appeared to deliver an ultimatum to the sports minister by warning that everyone had to abide by the 'collective' decision on the policy.

The comments came as Mr Wright was grilled by MPs on the Budget announcement that a cut to the maximum stake on FOBTs from £100 to £2 will not come into force until next October.

Campaigners have called for the Treasury to bring in the change from April, but Chancellor Philip Hammond rejected the demands.

Ms Crouch, who previously led government work on the FOBT issue, is understood to be furious over the delay.

There is a major Tory rebellion growing, with potentially dozens of MPs ready to back an amendment to the Finance Bill over the coming weeks.

The Government agreed to slash the stakes on the highly addictive gambling machines after a campaign by the Mail and mounting evidence of the damage they cause.

Earlier, Mr Duncan Smith said: 'I am deeply concerned. The Government took a big bold decision to reduce the stake to £2.

'Fixed odds betting terminals are much more addictive and cause greater harm. It has been obvious that it is causing real harm to families. The gambling industry have fought it tooth and nail and succeeded in securing a delay.

'Families will be in a terrible plight if this is allowed to stay for the next six months. Tracey is really upset about it, she worked really hard to get it done.'

Miss Crouch and Matt Hancock, the former culture secretary, secured a major victory when Mrs May agreed to slash the stake earlier this year.

But new Culture Secretary Mr Wright is said to be less keen on the policy amid concerns that cutting the stakes too soon will hit bookmakers.

When the crackdown was first announced it was due to come in from April 2020. The delay was designed to give bookmakers and the gambling industry time to adjust to the change. It also allowed the Treasury to introduce taxes to offset the loss of revenue, which will hit offshore betting internet sites.

Carolyn Harris, the Labour MP who chairs an all-party parliamentary group on the machines, said the delay was 'immoral and exploitative'.

Downing Street said the October deadline was 'a balance between making sure we protect those who work in the industry and making sure that we bring in this really important change'.

Tracey Crouch is the TWELFTH minister to quit Theresa May's Government in a year Tracey Crouch is the latest in a series of senior Government figures to have left their position since the snap election last June. The sports and civil society minister resigned on Thursday over a row about delays in cutting the maximum stake for fixed-odds betting terminals. The Conservative MP for Chatham and Aylesford tweeted: 'It is with great sadness I have resigned from one of the best jobs in Government. 'Politicians come and go but principles stay with us forever.' Her departure comes after seven Cabinet members left their posts under Prime Minister Theresa May since the 2017 general election. The first to leave was defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon, who resigned exactly one year ago on November 1 after being caught up in Westminster sleaze allegations. He said his behaviour had 'fallen below the high standards required' after admitting putting his hand on the knee of radio presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer some years ago. One week later, Priti Patel quit as international development secretary over undisclosed and unauthorised meetings in Israel, including with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In her resignation letter she echoed the words of Sir Michael, saying her actions 'fell below the high standards' expected. The following month, Mrs May's deputy Damian Green left the Cabinet after a probe found he made 'inaccurate and misleading' statements about pornography on his computer. Justine Greening was sacked in the PM's reshuffle in January after refusing to move from her education post to the Department for Work and Pensions. Home secretary Amber Rudd resigned in April after admitting she had 'inadvertently' misled MPs over the existence of targets for removing illegal immigrants over the Windrush scandal. Brexit secretary David Davis quit in July following crunch talks at Chequers, saying the agreed trade position for the white paper meant 'we are giving too much away too easily and that's a dangerous strategy at this time'. He was followed just 12 hours later by another 'big beast', as foreign secretary Boris Johnson resigned the following day. In his letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Johnson said her Chequers vision for Brexit meant that the UK was 'truly headed for the status of colony' of the EU.
British Sports Minister Tracey Crouch resigns amid controversy over a delay on regulating fixed odds betting terminals.