MIDDLEWICH’s MP is supporting a campaign to reduce harm caused by the ‘crack cocaine’ of gambling.

Fiona Bruce MP, a member of the fixed odds betting terminals all party parliamentary group, is promoting ‘Cut the Stake, Reduce FOBT Harm’ which calls for a substantial reduction in the maximum stake playable.

The machines allow people to stake £100 every 20 seconds on electronic versions of casino games such as roulette but the group believes this should be no more than £2.

Fiona said: “The case for action on FOBTs is clear and I urge the government to act now and cut the stake.

“There is no excuse for the continued misery these machines are causing. The problems associated with them are obvious.

“I am extremely concerns to hear that £1,781,199 was lost to FOBTS in the Congleton constituency in 2015/16. We cannot go on with this situation and I urge the government to cut the stake.”

Political concern and controversy has been growing about the addictive nature of the machines, with one group calling them the ‘crack cocaine’ of gambling.

The campaign has secured the support of 93 local authorities and the government is considering responses from a review launched into gaming machines in October 2016.