Council backs demands to tackle ‘crack cocaine’ gambling machines

The North East Lincolnshire Council will ask the government for new powers so it can tackle “crack cocaine” gambling machines in the borough.

UK.- The North East Lincolnshire Council will ask the government for new powers so it can tackle “crack cocaine” gambling machines in the borough.

Both the leader and chief executive of the council will write to Jeremy Hunt, Health Secretary, and other government ministers to also call for an urgent review into the rules surrounding gambling machines.

The demand comes after it was revealed that gamblers in the Grimsby-area are estimated to be waging more than a staggering £28.5 million a year on fixed-odds betting terminals, dubbed ‘crack cocaine’ gambling machines, in local bookmakers.

At a Full Council meeting last week, members voted unanimously in favour of the motion put forward by East Marsh councillor Stephen Beasant, who likened betting machines to Class A drugs.