Reporter Lewis Denison meets Harlesden MP Dawn Butler to learn why there are so many gambling shops

Gambling firms are being accused of targeting the UK's most deprived areas with high street slot machine shops, which can be highly addictive - and local councils have almost no powers to block them.

Senior Labour MP Dawn Butler - along with the 37 council leaders and mayors - is urging the government to reform the Gambling Act 2005 which currently requires local authorities to approve almost all gambling licences.

The two main firms, Mekur and Admiral, operate over 500 gambling shops in the UK, many of which are open 24 hours a day.

Slot machines operating in these venues are a particular cause of concern.

They allow a maximum stake of £2 with a maximum prize of £500. Since the pandemi

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