THE Westminster coalition has been urged to fast-track new powers to Holyrood to curb slot machines dubbed the "crack cocaine" of high street gambling, writes Tom Gordon.
The Smith Commission on greater devolution, which grew out of the pre-referendum Unionist "vow", recommended that MSPs be given control over Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs), the fruit machines often blamed for gambling addiction. The commission also said Holyrood should be able to control the numbers of payday loan shops. But so far there is no timetable for the changes.
West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan said there should be an immediate transfer of powers to cut the "misery and stress". He said: "While Westminster continues to do nothing, vulnerable people will suffer, which is why the powers must be transferred as soon as possible."
Permitted by Labour in 2001, FOBTs offer wins of up to £500 at a time but punters can lose up to £100 in 20 seconds.
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