Christian organisations have expressed their disappointment after Parliament agreed last night to double the amount of money that can be staked and won on the kind of fruit machines found in pubs and amusement arcades.

This means that the prize limit on fruit machines will be higher than weekly benefit levels, at a time when many families will be struggling to make ends meet.

An alliance of nine UK Christian organisations said in a statement that they were disappointed but not surprised by the decision of Parliament to accept the Government’s proposals to increase stakes and prizes for category C and D gaming machines.

"The Government had promised that no such increase would be made until a further gambling prevalence study had been published and has reneged on this promise," they said.

“We do not know what effects this legislation will have on the levels of problem gambling or on the lives of those already addicted to slot machines, but we have always urged the Government to act with caution.

“We will continue to campaign for the protection of those vulnerable to the harmful effects of gambling and to call on the government to put people before profits.”

The statement also called upon the Government to prohibit children from gambling, research the effects of gambling on children and to pledge to increase prize values in line with inflation and no more than every three years.

The statement was signed by the the Methodist Church, the Church of England, The Salvation Army, the Church of Scotland, the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the United Reformed Church, Quaker Action on Alcohol and Drugs, the Evangelical Alliance and Care.

Toby Scott, Director of Communications and Campaigns for the Methodist Church added, “Although we are disappointed with this decision, we are extremely grateful for the level of support we have received and to all those who have added their voices to this campaign.”