North Ayrshire’s MP has welcomed the UK Government’s announcement that it will reduce the maximum unit stake on fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs) to £2 per spin.

The machines currently allow players to stake up to £100 every 20 seconds on computer versions of games such as roulette, poker and blackjack, and the average user loses around £1,200 a year playing them.

There are currently 135 of these machines sited in bookmakers and betting shops in North Ayrshire, and it has been estimated that players locally lost almost £5 million on the terminals in 2016 alone.

North Ayrshire and Arran MP Patricia Gibson, who has frequently spoken out on the issue, said: “This has been a long running campaign, but I am pleased the UK Government has seen sense on this issue and cut the stakes on these machines to limit the damage they do.

“Known as the ‘crack cocaine’ of gambling, it is easy to see how people become addicted to these machines, and tragic to see how much money is lost across North Ayrshire every year. Selfservice terminals being introduced to place bets reduce the need for staff to both operate the FOBTs and help protect problem gamblers.

“When gambling becomes an addiction, it can have a hugely destructive impact on people’s lives and those of their loved ones. We have a responsibility, as does the betting industry, to ensure customers gamble responsibly and proper protections are in place for those who find this a challenge.

“Although the UK Government is yet to provide a date for implementation, I look forward to seeing the benefits here in North Ayrshire. I would far rather see those sums of money currently being lost spent on local goods and services.”