BETFRED has vowed to ‘work hard’ to mitigate job losses as it prepares to take a financial hit due to changes on the maximum stake which can be placed on fixed-odds betting terminals.

The maximum bet will be reduced from £100 to £2 from April next year, rather than October, after the Government faced widespread pressure.

During last Monday’s executive board meeting, council leader Cllr Terry O’Neill and Cllr Hitesh Patel, portfolio holder for personnel and communications, raised concerns over the machines.

Cllr O’Neill said the betting terminals were ‘to the detriment’ of the town’s communities.

Cllr Patel added: “We need a Government that cares about people and the impact of ordinary residents, not just in Warrington, but across the country – rather than a Government which, at the moment, seems to be more in cahoots with big businesses, especially non-tax paying businesses.”

Betfred, which has its head office in Birchwood, has responded to the news.

A spokesman said: “The stake reduction will have a significant impact on our business but we will be working hard to mitigate job losses.”