The leader of Merton Council wants to see a crackdown on slot machines.

Cllr Stephen Alambritis thinks fixed odds betting terminals encourage people to gamble more.

He said: “What we are supportive of is the end of fixed odds betting terminals.

“In the old days the betting shop would open at 12 or 2pm when the horse races started. Now they have these machines which you can plough a lot of money into.

“It encourages betting from the morning to the night.”

Back in May, the government announced that maximum stakes on betting machines will be reduced from £100 to £2.

Cllr Alambritis added: “We support restricting the amount you can put in.

“Not just in Wimbledon, but throughout London and throughout the country.”

On Wednesday, October 10, Merton Council discussed results from a public consultation that took place between June 25 and September 17.

The council asked members of the public and ward councillors what they thought of its Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005.

The consultation received just four responses, two from residents, one from Gamcare – a national organisation for people with gambling problems and Mitcham and Morden MP Siobhain McDonagh.

She said in some town centres, including Mitcham, betting shops contribute to antisocial behaviour and street drinking.

Mrs McDonagh wrote: “I believe that the majority of these companies do not deem themselves to be responsible for the antisocial behaviour and street drinking being caused outside of their stores and so it is left to the residents, police and council to pick up the pieces. I believe that these stores are attractive to many due to the fixed odds betting terminals.”

The statement of principles will inform the Merton Council’s gambling policy.