I HAVE been fortunate in that I have never developed a gambling addiction except for my £2 weekly contribution to the National Lottery. (I won £25 on Nov 3).

I read in Chris Moncrieff’s column (Echo, Nov 6) that currently a customer can bet £100 in 20 seconds on certain betting machines. The plan is that the maximum bet should be £2.

However, all that means is that it will take the customer 10 minutes to spend his £100.

I am not sure the customer’s odds on winning will be increased despite having more attempts. One can only hope that the customer realises he has a problem, or is told, and that appropriate use of therapy can be given. It has worked with alcohol and cigarettes.

Mike Taylor, Darlington