I REFER to the comments by Jenny Gilruth MSP in Central Fife Times on the amount spent in betting shops in the region.

The vast majority of customers gamble responsibly and have the right to spend their money and leisure time as they choose.

Betting shops are the safest place to gamble on the High Street because of the extensive responsible gambling measures they adopt, many of them unique to bookmakers, and because of the 5,000 employees in Scotland who are trained to help anyone who may be developing a problem with gambling.

Gaming machines were introduced into betting shops more than 15 years ago. Over this period, problem gambling has remained static across the UK, and actually fell in Scotland in 2015 to 0.7%.

We are encouraged by these figures but not complacent and will continue to lead industry efforts to reduce problem gambling.

It is worth noting that FOBTs account for only 13% of gambling spend in the UK.

Gamblers spend seven times more money on other gambling products, often in venues that lack our tight controls and trained staff. 

Targeting a single product in betting shops will not reduce problem gambling but will cause huge economic harm and force thousands of trained staff out of work. ?

DONALD MORRISON,

Public Affairs and Media Relations (Scotland),

Association of British Bookmakers.