Marketeers at bookmakers Betfred and Paddy Power have been accused of continuing to target problem gamblers with new, addictive, roulette-style games that allow victims to lose up to £15,000 an hour.

The new games were launched on Monday April 1st, the same day that the maximum bet on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOTBs) termed “crack cocaine” for gamblers by campaigners, was reduced by law from £100 to £2. Paddy Power’s Pick’ n’36 game allows losers to wave goodbye to £100 every three minutes, or £2,000 an hour, while Betfred’s Virtual Cycling game can take £500 every 2 minutes, or £15,000 per hour.

Following criticism from the Gambling Commission, which has the power to sack bosses of bookmakers by revoking their right to hold a management position in the industry, Betfred and Paddy Power have withdrawn their new games.