CONTROVERSIAL betting machines in bookmaker shops do not increase gambling problems, according to the boss of the UK’s largest betting firm.

Jim Mullen, chief executive of Ladbrokes Coral, warned that critics of fixed odds betting machines should think of the impact on jobs and shops in local high streets.

The machines have been branded the ‘crack cocaine of gambling’ and betting shop accused of locating more shops in poorer communities to squeeze more cash from customers.

He said critics had an anti-betting shop agenda and said the machines had made no impact on the prevalence of problem gambling.

Speaking at a Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Glasgow Talks event, Mr Mullen said staff were trained to spot and intervene to help problem gamblers.

He said that problem gambling remained at the same level after the introduction of the machines.

Mr Mullen said: “We are talking about 0.4%. I’m not saying people don’t suffer from that problem and it is up to us as a responsible operator to put in place mechanisms.

“I don’t think betting is bad, it’s enjoyable. For the vast majority of customers it’s enjoyable.

"There is 0.4% of the population who suffer from some sort of gambling addiction. That hasn’t changed in 17 years. There has been no increase in problem gambling because of FOBTs.”

"Mr Mullen, from Blantyre, who rose through the industry having first worked part time in a shop in his home town as a student, said he did not open shops purely to get more FOBTs into a community.

He said: “That is not a strategy I recognise. Since I have been Chief Executive I haven’t done that. We will open shops where there is demand.”

Mr Mullen said FOBTs account for around 54% of our retail revenue. We are on every high street. Those making demands must be careful of the impact on a large employer.

“When Ravenscraig went and 15,000 jobs sent it was all over the front pages.

“We have got 19,000 employees in shops. But if they went it would not be on the front pages.”

He said that people should be wary of who is funding the research and reports into the impact of FOBTs.

He urged people to look at who is funding research that says FOBTs are bad, suggesting competitors could be behind it.

Mr Mullen said that the bookies were a good presence on High streets.

As many streets suffer decline and empty shops, he said that betting shops had been there for decades, employing staff.