THE article headlined Wirral gambles away £2m on slot machines in one year and published on March 19, contains some unfortunate inaccuracies and mis-representations.

The figures cited use the turnover figures – a method of calculation which is both inaccurate and misleading.

There are no accurate numbers of how many people in a particular area are gamblers.

Business is measured on numbers of slips or the number of gaming machine sessions.

The most accurate financial measure is gross win (what operators make at profit and what customers lose in net terms).

The correct data, compiled straight from all gaming machines around the UK, shows that the average loss per gaming machine session in the Wirral South is £5.36 and the same figure for Wirral West is £4.49.

It is important that an issue as sensitive and important as gambling is dealt with on the basis of sound evidence.

The reality is that problem gambling levels in England and Wales are low by international standards, have remained under 1% for over a decade.

However, we recognise there are real concerns about machines.

We have listened closely to those concerns, and are moving to address them, and over the past year have put a series of harm minimisation tools in place, working closely with the government and the regulator.

Earlier this year we also made it compulsory for all gamblers to make an active choice over whether or not they set a limit before starting to play on gaming machine.

Hilary Douglas, campaigns director,

Association of British Bookmakers.