The introduction of new laws to tackle the ‘crack cocaine of gambling’ were welcomed by campaigners as a battle won.

But Medway Labour leader Cllr Vince Maple said while the clamp down on fixed-odd betting terminals (FOBTs) was the end of a seven-year fight there was still a long way to go for the gambling industry.

The campaign to cut the maximum stake on FOBTs — machines which allow users to place bets on virtual games such as roulette and black jack — was in and out of the headlines for years and culminated in Chatham MP Tracey Crouch resigning over the government dragging its heels on the issue.

Chancellor Philip Hammond had announced in October’s budget the new rules would be delayed by six months, prompting the radical step by then sport minister Ms Crouch.

The government then performed a u-turn and agreed to bring the rules into force in April, meaning from yesterday punters at high street bookmakers have only been able to stake £2 a time rather than £100.

Cllr Maple said the changes would be felt immediately, with addicts losses cut from a potential £300 to £6 a minute.

He added: “It’s great to finally see the crack cocaine of gambling off our high streets. It’s a step in the right direction for the industry. I’m not against gambling, I’m against problem gambling.

“I have spoken to dozens of people from across Medway and others from elsewhere who have lost their homes, families, job and in the most tragic cases people have taken their lives.

“I’m hopefully this change will bring about wider changes in an industry which for too long has not been acting responsibly.”

Adverts for gambling sites on the youth websites of football clubs and the ability to bet while playing video games were highlighted by Cllr Maple as areas where change is still needed.

“For seven years we’ve been talking about the crack cocaine of gambling, this change means that’s a battle won but there’s still a long way to go,” he said.

Cllr Maple’s point was backed up as soon as Monday’s law change had been enacted with the news bookies had bypassed the rules by introducing a new paper-based roulette game which allows punters to stake up to £500 every two minutes.

The gambling commission is investigating.