Plans to reduce the maximum stake on machines described as the ‘crack cocaine’ of gambling have been welcomed.

The current maximum bet on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs) sits at £100, meaning gamblers can lose that amount every 20 seconds.

There are currently 113 FOBTs in Medway’s 31 betting shops.

Last year, more than £130 million was gambled on them, and in excess of £40m has been lost by punters since 2008.

On Tuesday this week, following a government review, gambling minister and Chatham MP Tracey Crouch announced plans to reduce the maximum stake to between £2 and £50.

There will be a 12-week consultation on FOBTs and measures will also be introduced to tackle online gambling and advertising.

Miss Crouch said: “While the outcome of this review will mean better protections for players, we also want to take this opportunity to think carefully about how to ensure that those who are experiencing gambling-related harm receive the help they need.”

“It is vital that we strike the right balance between socially responsible growth and protecting the most vulnerable, including children, from gambling-related harm.”

Medway Labour Group leader, Cllr Vince Maple, has been campaigning for the reduction in FOBT stakes.

He said this week: “I have mixed feelings. It’s good to see the government moving in the right direction, but it’s a shame we’ll need more consultations. It’s good to see the limit will be finally reduced, and it should be to £2.

“I’ve been locally campaigning locally for a number of years to tackle this issue.

“The more you speak about it, the more people come forward.”

Dad of two Matt, 37, from Rainham, estimates he has lost more than £10,000 to these machines over the last three or four years, but has managed to keep control of the addiction more recently.

He said: “It’s an illness. I’ve lost childrem and relationships to those games, and it can push people to suicide or other addictions because of the stress it causes.

“It’s about time they changed the rules on these games.”