Boris Johnson has urged ministers to slash the stake on betting machines known as the 'crack cocaine of gambling ' . The London Mayor has told the Mail he believes fixed odds betting terminals can be dangerously addictive and allow bookmakers to prey on the vulnerable within our society . He is the first high-profile Conservative to call for the maximum stake on these roulette-style games to be slashed to as little as £2 . Punters can currently lose £100 per spin . And Mr Johnson revealed he has been pushing ministers to act to tackle the 'scourge ' and harm they cause by also preventing them 'clustering ' in certain areas . 'Dangerously addictive ' : Boris Johnson has urged ministers to slash the stake on betting machines known as the 'crack cocaine of gambling ' Fixed odds betting terminals , which are available in any High Street betting shop , have been blamed by campaigners , charities and local councils for a worrying rise in problem gambling and anti-social behaviour . Mr Johnson 's intervention comes as the Campaign for Fairer Gambling , using data published by bookmakers in their annual reports and via the industry watchdog , says a staggering £1.5billion was lost on these machines in the UK last year – up from £1billion in 2009 . 'Fixed odds betting machines are the scourge of our High Streets and a very bad thing for our community , ' Mr Johnson said . 'They can be dangerously addictive , their promise of whopping wins only gives false hope , and they prey on the vulnerable within our society . I have urged the Government to proceed with the utmost caution when considering the maximum stakes available on these machines . ' Mr Johnson has also privately advocated cutting the stake , in line with other gambling machines in pubs and betting shops . There are more than 33,000 across the UK . Problem gambling : Mr Johnson 's ( pictured ) intervention comes as the Campaign for Fairer Gambling says a staggering £1.5billion was lost on these machines in the UK last year . In a letter to a correspondent who wrote to him about the harm caused by fixed odds betting terminals , seen by the Mail , Mr Johnson replied that he advocated the approach taken by 'local authorities , charities and faith and community groups to limit the stakes on these machines ' . They have called for a cut to £2 . Councils in England have also demanded greater powers to allow planners to reject applications for new betting shops if there is already a cluster of them . Bookmakers William Hill , Ladbrokes , Gala Coral and Paddy Power recently agreed to restrict advertising of the machines in shop windows and on television before the 9pm watershed .
William Hill said 'dangerously addictive ' machines prey on vulnerable . He also warned ministers to tackle 'clustering ' of betting shops in areas . Campaigners blame 'fixed odds ' terminals for a rise in problem gambling . Gamblers can stake £100 per spin in 33,000 betting shops across the UK .