Warning over rapid spread of bookies High number of betting shops worries gambling charity

Renfrewshire has among the highest concentrations of betting shops per person in Scotland.

Punters have the choice of dozens of branches – with one for every 4,421 people.

And there has been a major rise in those on low incomes becoming hooked.

Critics warn bookies are more likely to open in areas of high deprivation.

Charity Aquarius works with addicts in a bid to beat their habits.

A spokesman said: “Often people don’t see gambling addiction as a real thing.

“If you have a partner who drinks all day, every day it is not something they can easily hide.

“Their behaviour and appearance changes. You can smell alcohol and you will see empty bottles.

“But gambling, this is something secret. The problem is that a little secret can become a very big secret very quickly as the debt increases.”

It has emerged that those living in Scotland’s better off areas have fewer bookmakers on their high street.

Gambling Commission has pinpointed the location of every betting shop in the country.

Branch numbers were compared against Holyrood’s list of the most deprived communities.

Experts measure poverty against key markers, including income, employment, education, health and crime.

Analysis showed regions suffering high levels of deprivation are more likely to have greater numbers of bookies.

Renfrewshire is ranked eighth out of 32 in the table of local authorities with worst poverty problems in Scotland.

Ministers revealed Ferguslie Park is the worst hit in the country.

The district has a population of 176,830. There are 40 betting shops serving an average 4,421 people each.

Aberdeenshire has one of the lowest rates of poverty in the country – ranked 23 of 32 local authorities.

It has a population of nearly 262,000, but only 23 bookmakers.

Each branch serves an average 11,383 customers each, one of the lowest concentrations of shops.

Campaign group Gam Care warns gambling problems can devastate already struggling communities.

A spokesman said: “Many people think that a problem with gambling is just a money issue, but there are many different reasons why gambling may become a problem.

“Sometimes money worries are like a smokescreen because you can focus on them and their consequences.

“It seems easier to deal with money problems rather than other issues.

“A preoccupation with gambling can also create problems with jobs and relationships, and can have a ripple effect on health and wellbeing for an individual as well as those they care about.”

The Association of Bri t i s h Bookmakers insists there is no drive to target poorer communities.

A spokesman said: “Betting shops no more target deprived areas than Marks & Spencer.

“There are more in the largest commercial centres.

“We operate where there are the most customers.”

Westminster was forced into a U-turn on over a proposed delay to cut the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals.

The machines – dubbed ‘the crack cocaine of gambling’ – allow punters to stake up to £100 every 20 seconds.

Ministers’ plans to reduce this stake to £ 2 were moved forward after a parliamentary rebellion.

More than 100 MPs put their names to an amendment which would have forced the government to hasten the move.