Betting and gaming shops will be invited to talks with the council about setting up a voluntary code on gambling.

The code, which would be one of the first of its kind in the country, is part of an effort to tackle problem gambling in the Towns.

It follows concerns over the use of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals with an estimated £200 million spent annually in Medway.

In January members of all political parties met with the Gambling Commission and agreed a voluntary code would be the most effective way to reduce the risk of people getting into debt.

Since then the council has been researching the best way forward, including the approach followed by other local authorities across the UK. Talks will be held with bookies and other shops next month.

A radio scheme operated by the Safer Medway Partnership could provide a template for the gambling code.

Under this, businesses are able to share information, including photographs, of people barred from entering shops and restaurants after committing a criminal offence or causing a nuisance.

This could be extended to betting and gaming shops, preventing customers with problem habits from feeding their addiction.

Community safety chief Cllr Mike O’Brien (Con), who has written to the Association of British Bookmakers, local betting shops, bingo halls and licensed amusement arcades, said it was a chance for the industry to “show that it takes problem gambling seriously”.

He said: “While some councils have gone down the legal route to deal with local gaming and betting issues, we believe that a partnership approach will prove the best way forward.”