There are more than 60 betting shops and gambling venues in Croydon.

And whether they are good or bad for the area is something that splits opinion.

In Croydon there are currently 61 venues with a betting premises licence.

As well as another five with adult gaming licences, for arcade style venues.

And it is up to Croydon Council whether or not to hand out licences for betting shops and arcades.

While some think it can increase anti social behaviour in an area the other side of the coin is that the establishments employ local people and contribute to the local economy.

Overall nearly 400 people are employed by betting shops in the borough.

‘They could increase crime’

At a Croydon Council meeting last month (July 23) the latest adult gaming licence in the borough was issued.

This was for a new amusement arcade run by Future Leisure Limited for over 18s in New Addington.

The venue will replace a former betting shop at 51 Central Parade.

Problems with arcades were raised at the council’s licensing committee this week.

At the meeting ward councillor Oliver Lewis raised objections from his constituents.

He said: “The proliferation of gambling establishments on our high streets is a concern for many communities in the borough and that is particularly a problem in New Addington.

“In the parade we see a lot of people street drinking and I think there is a risk that if we are putting in gaming establishments we exacerbate some of these problems.

“I think having establishments like this where you can spend long periods of time can increase crime and anti social behaviour.”

As part of the approval the company which will run the arcade offered to give ward councillors a direct telephone number to ensure a smooth relationship with New Addington residents.

Economic benefits stay local

So, there can be concerns that betting shops can have a negative impact on residents.

But for some residents they will provide a secure job.

The Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) is the trade organisation for betting shops in the UK.

It runs training and offers advice to people who run betting shops as well as making sure they are safe through the Safe Bet Alliance which it set up in 2010.

An ABB spokesman said: “Betting shops contribute greatly to the local economy in Croydon, employing nearly 400 people.

“More than 90% of the economic benefits of the shops stay local too, helping to enrich communities.

“However, the government’s decision to reduce the stakes on gaming machines in shops will cost many jobs and there will be a significant reduction in shop numbers in Croydon.

“Those shops that survive the stake changes will continue to provide a safe place to gamble in Croydon with staff interaction and industry leading responsible gambling measures.”

Earlier this year the government introduced new rules that cut the maximum stake on fixed odds betting terminals from £100 down to £2.

And in July William Hill announced it was closing a total of 700 betting shops across the country.