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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Rob Davies

High-street slot machines reap record takings as councils call for power to curb spread

A man playing slot machines in an adult gaming centre
The majority of adult gaming centres offer 24-hour play and are disproportionally located in poorest areas Photograph: Kumar Sriskandan/Alamy

High-street slot machines are reaping record takings as operators expand apace on Britain’s high streets, reigniting calls for the government to give councils more power to curb their spread.

Overall, betting and gaming revenues – excluding the National Lottery – reached £11.5bn in the year to March 2024, a 3.5% annual increase and the highest figure on record, according to statistics from the Gambling Commission that corrected previous figures.

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