I am writing on behalf of the association of British Bookmakers (ABB).

The ABB is the leading association for high street bookmakers and represents the operators of about 7,000 betting shops in the UK.

Although we were quoted in the article (Calls for changes after Croydon north spends £160m on gambling, January 9) we strongly believe that, taken as a whole, the article means and was understood by readers to mean, high street bookmakers exploit vulnerable gambling addicts in deprived areas for profit.

The damage such false allegations cause the industry cannot be underestimated.

The article is largely based on unpublished research by the Campaign for Fairer Gambling (CFG). We have concerns about the accuracy of CFG’s research.

The article said Croydon north spends £160m on
gambling. This is false. For example, our casino-style games return about 97 per cent to the player. So customers expenditure – what  they lose – is about 3 per cent of the figure claimed.

Surveys by the Gambling Commision in 2007 and 2010 established no empirical evidence for a causal link between electronic machines and problem gambling.

It is also wrong that to say betting shops target deprived areas. Like any other retailer, our members consider footfall, demand, rates and competitor presence when deciding their locations on the high street.

NEIL GOULDEN
ABB chairman