Councillors are supporting a call for party leaders to commit to reduce the stakes on some gambling machines.

In November, Harrow Council was part of the largest ever coalition of authorities to submit a proposal calling on the Government to reduce the casino-style stakes at fixed odds betting terminals from £100 to £2 in line with other gaming machines available on the high street.

The machines, normally found in betting shops, allow players to bet on the outcomes of simulated races, bingo and slot machine games and have been compared to hard drugs in their level of addictiveness.

Now the Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales, who led the original submission, and the Local Government Association’s licensing spokesperson Councillor Tony Page have written a joint letter to party leaders urging them to commit to making this reduction a manifesto promise.

Harrow Council leader Cllr David Perry said: “We’ve seen an increase in betting shops across South Harrow and Wealdstone, which simply cannot be right with people still struggling with the cost of living crisis.

“Reducing the stakes on fixed odds betting terminals to £2 means people can bet responsibly; this is something that all parties should be committed to.

“Fixed odds betting terminals are a real problem and it’s only right that as a council we act to protect our residents and communities.”

The letter was sent to party leaders before an event hosted by the Campaign for Fairer Gambling.