West Midlands councils team up to tackle 'crack cocaine' gambling machines
Councils in the West Midlands are backing a campaign to clamp down on high street bookies' betting machines, dubbed the 'crack cocaine' of gambling by critics.
Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Dudley and Birmingham councils are among 93 who have joined together calling on the government to bring an end to what they call 'casino-style gambling on the nation's high streets'.
The authorities say they have seen a rise in the number of bookies, mainly big name chains, clustering on high streets, taking advantage of lax planning and licensing regulations and introducing more Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs).
They want the maximum stake cut from £100 to £2.
FOBTs can see up to £100 bet per 20 second spin.
One machine alone could see £18,000 gambled in an hour, and with up to four machines in a store, £72,000 could be spent during peak hours, far exceeding the level of other gaming machines found in bingo halls and arcades, according to London's Newham Council which is leading the campaign.
Tom Watson, Labour MP for West Bromwich East, has also been campaigning against the machines.
He said: "People who know about these machines are not surprised to hear them called the crack cocaine of gambling.
"Players can lose hundreds of pounds in minutes on them.
"They are a magnet for problem gamblers.
"Their impact has been to turn many shopping areas into high street digital casinos.
"I'm extremely grateful that local councils recognise their is a growing problem with these pernicious machines."
Councillor Roger Lawrence, leader of Wolverhampton City Council, said: "These terminals can be highly addictive and people lose a lot of money in a short space of time.
"There is an impact on people who are extremely vulnerable and their families."
Earlier this month an Ipsos Mori poll found that 70 per cent of people though the maximum bet of £100 on FOBTS is too much.
However the Association of British Bookmakers said: "There is no evidence that a reduction of the stake to £2 will have any impact on problem gambling.
"Betting shops are situated in major commercial centres and 84 per cent of betting shops are located in commercial centres where the demand is highest."
