GAMBLERS lost more than £6.5 million on “dangerously addictive” betting machines in Bolton in the last year, new figures suggest.

The Campaign for Fairer Gambling estimates that £33,227,868 was staked on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) in the town in 2014.

It is possible to bet up to £100 in a single 20-second spin on the high-speed touchscreen machines, of which there are about 175 in Bolton.

Campaigners claim that the gross amount FOBT users wagered in Bolton last year was £178.6 million – with gamblers losing £1,656 on average.

More than 7,200 people are believed to have used the machines across the town, 1,588 of whom could have been "at risk" problem gamblers, according to Gambling Commission statistics.

Adrian Parkinson, consultant for the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, said: "This year’s data is especially poignant because we have taken extra time to calculate the effect these machines are having on at risk or vulnerable gamblers.

“In this General Election year, politicians really need to wake up to the devastating effect these machines are having on communities up and down the country.

“There is one simple and effective way to reduce the harm of these machines without the need for primary legislation – reducing the maximum stake from £100 to £2.”

Bolton South East was the most popular area for FOBTs in 2014. With an estimated 91 machines in the constituency, around 3,776 gamblers staked £17.3 million, wagering an estimated £93 million in total while using the machines.

Yasmin Qureshi, who is set to defend her seat for Bolton South East in May, supports the campaign and in the past has accused bookmakers of deliberately exploiting areas – like Farnworth – which have the highest levels of deprivation.

Ms Qureshi said: “I definitely think the guidelines should be stricter, and there should be much more regulation of these machines.

“The amount of cash wagered in my constituency in the last year is shocking.

“There are too many bookmakers in Bolton South East, and that is the problem with this so-called free market deregulation.

“I think £5 to £10 should be the maximum amount which can be wagered in one go, not £100. We do not want to restrict people’s freedom to enjoy themselves, but something has to be done.

“Sadly, the ordinary person never wins – the winners are the companies which run these machines.”

Under a new code of conduct launched last year by the industry, staff in bookmakers are alerted when the set limit is reached – forcing a 30-second break in play.

The total amount staked in Bolton – which is in the top 55 most deprived boroughs in the country – has fallen since last year, when an estimated £35.4 million was spent.