Call for Shropshire Council to bring in tighter gaming controls

The Fairer Gambling organisation, which is campaigning for tougher regulations on the machines, has written to bosses at Shirehall as part of a consultation on the authority's gambling policies.

The organisation claims the 'addictive' electronic terminals have resulted in an increase in abuse to betting shop staff, with underage and drunken gamblers able to use the facilities more easily than placing bets over the counter.

But the Gambling Commission said today the links between the machines and problem gambling remain 'poorly understood', while the Association of British Bookmakers said linking betting shops with crime and anti-social behaviour was 'absurd'.

Matt Zarb-Cousin, a spokesman for the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, said the organisation is calling on the Government to reduce the maximum stake on the terminals from the current £100 to a £2 upper limit.But he added councils are limited in the action they can take, beyond opposing new shops.

Laura McCaughey, corporate affairs manager for the Gambling Commission, said while there are 'legitimate concerns' about the machines, more work is needed on understanding the issue.

"The Gambling Commission has asked the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board to see what more can be done to better understand the risks posed and that work is now under way," she said. "In the meantime, licensed betting operators are required to provide a range of social responsibility measures."

Shropshire Council's cabinet is due to discuss its gambling policies at a meeting on Wednesday.