Research by the BBC’s Shared Data Unit shows the borough’s two licenced Adult Gaming Centres (AGCs) are in locations classified among the 20 percent most deprived in mainland Britain.
The presence of AGCs, which can be open 24-hours a day with gaming machines capable of paying out hundreds of pounds, in areas of deprivation is a cause of concern for gambling support charity GambleAware.
Anna Hargrave, transition CEO of GambleAware, said: “Our research has shown those in the most deprived areas are two times more likely to experience gambling harms, so we are concerned by the clustering of gambling venues in the most deprived areas of the country.
“While it is important to remember that all forms of gambling carry risks, our research has also shown the high level of harms associated with gaming machines such as slot machines in gambling venues, with one in two people using gaming machines in the past year experiencing ‘problem gambling’.”
Dudley Council licences AGCs Quicksilver in High Street, Brierley Hill and Shipleys Mirage Centre in Hagley Street in Halesowen.
Dudley Council House. Picture Martyn Smith
The gaming industry says AGCs operate under one of the strictest regulatory regimes in the world for low stake gambling with trained staff on site at all times, supervised play and tightly controlled stakes.
Allastar Gair, communications director at trade association BACTA, which represents the gambling industry, said: “A new AGC does not open without a full licensing process, council oversight and a detailed risk assessment.
“Operators do not target deprived areas; they take on long term empty units and invest in high streets that need regeneration.”
Dudley is among just 12 authorities in the BBC research where 100 percent of its AGCs are in areas of high deprivation, Bolton has the highest number in the 100 percent category with six AGCs.
Across England, Scotland and Wales 48 percent of AGCs are located in the two most deprived areas, 435 of those are in the first most deprived areas in the country and 229 are in the second most deprived.
The Gambling Commission’s register of licensed gambling premises shows, along with two AGCs, Dudley has 26 betting shops, six bingo halls and one casino.