CAMPAIGNERS have spoken of their disappointment after the Government refused to reduce the maximum stake on so-called 'crack cocaine' gambling machines from £100 to £2.

North-East councils joined others around the country in demanding that ministers acted to reduce the harm of fixed odds betting machines (FOBTs).

FOBTs are casino-style roulette machines found in hundreds of betting shops across the region.

Critics have labelled the machines the "crack cocaine of gambling” with punters able to stake up to £100 every 20 seconds.

Newham Council, supported by 93 other authorities including County Durham, Stockton and Middlesbrough councils, urged the Government to reduce the maximum stake from £100 to £2, however the call was rejected this week.

Leader of Stockton Council, Councillor Bob Cook, said: “High stakes betting machines can be highly addictive and can have a very harmful impact on vulnerable members of our community so I’m disappointed to learn that the Government is not going to limit the cap on betting stakes to £2.”

Figures released this week by the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, which backed the action by the councils, showed that FOBTs have taken more than £35 million from North-East punters.

A campaign spokesman said: “Once again this Conservative Government has missed an opportunity to rectify the growing FOBT problem.

"The number of FOBTs is now over 35,000 and player losses continue to grow as do the losses of those addicted to the machines, or those at risk, which was estimated at £650 million last year.

“The ministers’ response shows how out of touch this Government is with what is going on in our high streets and town centres. Councillors see it every day especially in areas of greater deprivation, but despite planning changes councils fear the cost of legal action when challenging the corporate bookmakers."

In response, the Department for Communities and Local Government said it had done enough with new rules introduced this year to tackle the problem.

They include gamblers having to ask for permission from staff to stake more than £50.

The spokesman said: "We do not support Newham Council's proposal as we have already acted by introducing stronger gambling controls to help further protect players and promote responsible gambling in April.

"This includes putting an end to unsupervised stakes above £50 on FOBTs and giving more powers to local authorities to stop new betting shops opening up in their areas.

"The Government will continue to monitor the effectiveness of existing controls and will take further action if necessary."