Bookies and other betting establishments are paying less for lucrative gambling licences in Hyndburn than elsewhere, it’s been revealed.

Council leader Miles Parkinson has pledged to review bargain basement licensing fees paid out by all gambling premises in the borough, over concerns that they may be being ‘subsidised’ by the public.

The Observer reported in January how the Campaign for Fairer Gambling had claimed that nearly £50m a year was staked on fixed-odds betting machines at bookmakers throughout Hyndburn.

Speaking at a full council meeting last week Coun Parkinson said gambling ‘can increase the risk of family debt and domestic violence incidents’.

He added: “Our charges are the lowest compared to other neighbouring councils. This issue will be addressed in the coming year.”

Speaking after the meeting, he added: “It is the council’s responsibility to make sure that we are not subsidising these establishments with too low a fee because they are making vast profits.

“We want to make sure that the time spent on licensing premises is correctly reflected by the licence fee.

“We visit the premises, regulate them and make sure procedures are done duly and in a timely fashion.”

Hyndburn has around 47 high-speed ‘casino-style’ machines which can accept up to £100 bets every 20 seconds.

New applications for bingo and other betting licences cost £938, with annual fees of up to £1,000

The Association of British Bookmakers has previously labelled the Campaign for Fairer Gambling’s figures ‘inaccurate’ and claimed the idea that bookmakers target vulnerable communities was both ‘false and offensive’.

A spokesman said: “At a time of economic uncertainty and record retail vacancies, we are proud to play our part in supporting jobs right across the UK.”