There are calls to restrict the spread of “irresponsible” betting shops in Redbridge.

Councillors have expressed concern about the number of bookies in the borough, which currently stands at 70.

A motion was passed by full council last night which will see the authority write to the government to request greater powers to block new applications.

The council says the law currently does not allow authorities to restrict the number of betting shops or monitor their effects on residents.

Concern has been raised about a rise in gambling addiction and anti-social behaviour associated with betting shops.

Gaming machines known as Fixed Odds Betting Terminals were criticised as “addictive” due to their high stakes and quick game play.

The council will now press the Home Office for a requirement to be placed on betting shops to apply for specific planning permission, with licensing rules which take into consideration public nuisance and a “demand test”.

There has been a 13 per cent increase in betting shops in London town centres between January 2010 and December 2012, according to the Greater London Authority.

Deanna Seef, a counsellor and psychotherapist from South Woodford, said she has noticed a rise in people with gambling addictions and believes betting shop owners are acting irresponsibly.

She said: “People with gambling addiction are dissatisfied with themselves so they seek other methods of gaining a sense of control, but all they are doing is sabotaging their lives.

“It is a destructive behaviour which betting shops are ignoring and they continue to act irresponsibly.

“I have seen a big rise in people coming to me with gambling addiction due to the recession and increasing stress in their lives.

“A rise in betting shops is not going to affect the average person. But for people like this with addictive personalities, it is going to leave them with no choice but to use their services.

“They go in their thinking they are going to make back the money they have lost only to spiral into more and more debt. I think it is a very good thing that the council are doing something about it.”