Great Yarmouth has the highest concentration of adult gaming centres in the country, while slot machine firms like Admiral and Merkur have also expanded in King's Lynn and Thetford's high streets. Lowestoft, in Suffolk, has also seen an increase.

Nationwide, 30pc of all adult gaming centres are located in areas with the highest levels of deprivation.

A Merkur Slots venue has recently opened in Lowestoft (Image: Mick Howes)

Whereas the 14 wealthiest local authorities do not have a single slot machine venue, a Guardian study has found.

Currently, there are limited powers available to prevent an influx of such establishments, some of which can stay open 24 hours a day.

It has prompted calls for affected Norfolk councils to join a coalition of more than 40 authorities urging the government to reform gambling policies.

They want powers to refuse gambling premises that pose risks to local welfare and safety.

A fruit machine (Image: Newsquest)

Slot machines open 24 hours a day are consistently ranked among the most addictive gambling products in health surveys, and opening them in deprived areas risks exploiting vulnerable people, critics claim.

Prof Henrietta........

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