A charity has called on the Chancellor not to base any decision on fixed odds betting terminals on tax income.

CARE, Christian Action Research and Education wants Phillip Hammond to think about the social impact of the machines especially inthe most deprived communities.

The Gambling Commission recommended the Government cuts the maximum stake from between £1 and £50 from the current £100 limit.

However amid reports the Treasury is apparently not keen on a limit at the lower end of the scale, the charity is thinking about revenue. CARE is urging a rethink.

Chief Executive Nola Leach, said: “CARE is very disappointed that the government appears to be placing much more value on the tax revenue collected from these machines than to the harm they cause to society and to vulnerable people.”

“If additional revenues need to be raised then we urge the Prime Minister and Chancellor to find other means of doing so that do not depend on the exploitation of vulnerable people.”