Gamblers in Renfrewshire have lost over £6million on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) in 2016, with punters putting in £25milion in total.
The shocking figures, which cover only 2016, have been published by the Campaign for Fairer Gambling.
The analysis shows in total, £25,625,215 was inserted into machines in Renfrewshire in 2016, with £6,406,304 lost. Between 2008 and 2016, £43,401,749 has been lost in Renfrewshire.
Currently there are 150 FOBTs spread across Renfrewshire’s 40 betting shops.
FOBTs allow punters to stake £100 every 20 seconds on electronic versions of casino games such as roulette, but in a low supervision high street bookie environment.
Renfrewshire North & West MSP Derek Mackay has expressed his concern at the figure, published by the Campaign for Fairer Gambling.
The power to legislate on the regulation of gambling, including the power to change the limits on the machines, remains largely reserved to the UK Government.
In December the Scottish Government brought forward new legislation, meaning anyone intending to change the use of a premises to a betting shop is now likely to have to apply to their local planning authority for permission. Previously, some shops or services on the high street could easily be transformed into betting offices without needing any planning permission.
SNP MSP Derek Mackay said: “I am extremely concerned that over £6million was lost to FOBTs in Renfrewshire in a single year.
“When I was Local Government and Planning Minister I held a summit on the negative impact betting shops were having on communities.
“That work resulted in the legislation brought forward by the Scottish Government in December to give planning authorities more control over the number of betting shops on our High Streets.
“However, at present powers over gambling remains reserved to the UK Government. Including the ability to cut the maximum stake on FOBTs from the current £100 per spin, to a more sensible figure.
“Fixed odds betting terminals have become a familiar sight in betting shops across Renfrewshire. Tales of addiction and loss are not hard to find. With losses on these machines mounting year on year so is the harm to families and communities.”