by Alan McGuinness

A voluntary code on gambling designed to protect problem gamblers could be agreed this week.

Betting and gaming shops will hold talks with the council on Wednesday (May 8) with the aim of coming to an agreement, which would be one of the first of its kind in the country.

The Association of British Bookmakers, the industry body, will also be at the discussions.

The code is part of an ongoing effort to reduce the number of people in the Towns getting into debt.

It follows concerns about the use of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals, which allow users to bet on the outcome of various games and events, including bingo and horse racing.

Community safety boss Cllr Mike O’Brien (Con) said: "This is aimed primarily at protecting the vulnerable in society, we’re not trying to put the betting shops out of business.

"I want to come out of that meeting with an agreement."

In January members of all political parties met with the Gambling Commission and agreed a voluntary code would be the most effective way to reduce the risk of people getting into debt.

Since then the council has been researching the best way forward, including the approach followed by other local authorities across the UK.

A radio scheme operated by the Safer Medway Partnership could provide a template for the gambling code.

Under this, businesses are able to share information, including photographs, of people barred from entering shops and restaurants after committing a criminal offence or causing a nuisance.

This could be extended to betting and gaming shops, preventing customers with problem habits from feeding their addiction.