An incredible sum of money continues to be squandered on fixed odds betting terminals in the Bradford district, a significant proportion of which undoubtedly comes from those least able to afford it.
Last year, more than £260m was wagered on these machines, and around £9.5m lost by punters – which equates to around £584 per player on average, a considerable sum for those on low incomes.
The Telegraph & Argus has long campaigned for tighter controls on the increasing prevalence of betting shops blighting our city and town centres, and it is high time local authorities were given stronger powers to prevent bookies springing up.
The Campaign for Fairer Gambling, which has published the research, claims it shows the betting industry is zeroing in on the most deprived areas – a claim the Association of British Bookmakers vehemently disputes.
But what does seem to be the case is those who are in desperate straits can be tempted, particularly as these fixed odds machines have a comparatively high pay out rate of well over 90%.
That rate of return undoubtedly attracts so many people to throw money into them. The fact is though, there is only ever one long term winner, and that is never the punter. The percentage made by the betting shops may sound small, but the total for the district is still close to £10m.
Obviously people are free to spend their money where they want, and there is undoubtedly a place for bookies on our high streets.
At the same time, local authorities need to be given stronger powers to allow them to control growth of betting shops when they feel it is becoming a problem.
Otherwise, it is odds on that the huge amount of money being gambled on these high stake one-armed bandits will continue to spiral.
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