A GOVERNMENT crackdown on gambling is being urged by North East Lincolnshire
Council.
In particularly, members want curbs on stakes waged on the Fixed Odds Betting Terminals familiar in most betting shops, which, it has been claimed, are raking in as much as £22.85-million per annum just within this borough alone.
At a full council meeting, Coun Steve Beasant (Lib-Dem), who has no fewer than five betting shops in his East Marsh ward, said some perennial gamblers had become "brainwashed", and he accused the industry of "creaming off" the monies of customers.
Staying controversial, he went on to suggest that drug dealers might even be using the shops to "money-launder" their ill-gotten gains.
Coun Beasant complained that few betting shops had notices in their windows emphasising the importance of "responsible" gambling.
He claimed in-store gaming machines promised a "casino-type experience", but the prospects of winning were miniscule and those who became addicted risked having their lives "ruined".
Concerns were also voiced by Coun Ian Lindley (Con, Scartho) who expressed resentment at the extent of gambling-related advertised when he views live Premier League football on Sky TV most Sunday afternoons.
"It has become too easy to place bets on a mobile phone," he protested.
The council voted unanimously to write to both local MPs and the relevant Government, ministers imploring them to review the current legislation and to allow local authorities, such as NELC, to reduce the maximum stake on Fixed Odd Betting Terminals from £100 to £2.
In particularly, members want curbs on stakes waged on the Fixed Odds Betting Terminals familiar in most betting shops, which, it has been claimed, are raking in as much as £22.85-million per annum just within this borough alone.
At a full council meeting, Coun Steve Beasant (Lib-Dem), who has no fewer than five betting shops in his East Marsh ward, said some perennial gamblers had become "brainwashed", and he accused the industry of "creaming off" the monies of customers.
Staying controversial, he went on to suggest that drug dealers might even be using the shops to "money-launder" their ill-gotten gains.
Coun Beasant complained that few betting shops had notices in their windows emphasising the importance of "responsible" gambling.
He claimed in-store gaming machines promised a "casino-type experience", but the prospects of winning were miniscule and those who became addicted risked having their lives "ruined".
Concerns were also voiced by Coun Ian Lindley (Con, Scartho) who expressed resentment at the extent of gambling-related advertised when he views live Premier League football on Sky TV most Sunday afternoons.
"It has become too easy to place bets on a mobile phone," he protested.
The council voted unanimously to write to both local MPs and the relevant Government, ministers imploring them to review the current legislation and to allow local authorities, such as NELC, to reduce the maximum stake on Fixed Odd Betting Terminals from £100 to £2.
***
FOXES continue to be conspicuous in the Grimsby and Cleethorpes area.
Many mammal species seem to be increasing in the borough, but none more so than Mr Reynard.
They are feared by young children and heartily disliked by some gardeners for their habit of digging out soil for bulbs.
On the plus side, they probably help to keep a lid on rat numbers.
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