A DRASTIC cut in the minimum stake for fixed-odds betting machines has been welcomed by Inverclyde's MP.

Ronnie Cowan, who has campaigned against FOBTs, says the decision by the UK Government to limit it to £2 a spin is a major breakthrough in the fight against gambling addiction.

New rules will be introduced to put an end to the current system, which allows punters to bet up to £100 every 20 seconds on the machines.

Mr Cowan said: "As vice-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on FOBTs, I welcome the decision by the UK Government to introduce a maximum unit stake on FOBTs to £2.

"This is a campaign I have been leading since my election in 2015 and I believe it's a step in the right direction to address gambling-related harm and beginning to mitigate the number of problem gamblers in the country.

"Having heard numerous testimonies and stories from individuals, who lives have been ruined by these machines, it was clear that drastic action must be taken."

The new rules are due to come into effect later this year.

In Inverclyde alone in the last 10 years, punters have lost an estimated £20m on FOBTs - also known as roulette machines - with £8m of that said to be from the pockets of problem gamblers.

Mr Cowan said: "We must ensure the welfare of the individual and their families are put before bookmaker profits.

"I would like to put on record my thanks to the minister for sport, who appeared before the all party group, made herself accessible and ultimately highlighted her reservations about FOBTs."