Labour Councillors in Stockport are calling for action to be taken against the spread of dangerous betting machines in Stockport after figures revealed over £50million was gambled in Stockport alone last year.
Labour Councillor Tom McGee (Heatons South ward) raised the spread of betting shops and specifically Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) at Stockport Full Council Meeting on 14th February 2013.
Commenting today, Cllr McGee said: “It’s truly astonishing that over £50million is being gambled in just 13 betting shops in Stockport. At the moment these machines allow people to bet up to £100 every 20 seconds, it’s possible to gamble £18,000 in just one hour.
“The Government needs to reduce the amount people can stake and we need to look at what the Council can do to limit the spread of these machines through tighter licensing.”
Figures released by the ‘Stop the FOBTs’ group, which is campaigning for fairer gambling, show that there are 48 FOBTs in Stockport in 13 betting shops. £51,163,005 was gambled through these machines.
The Government is currently consulting on whether changes need to be made to how FOBTs work. The consultation closes on 9th April 2013. Click here to access the consultation and have your say.