Ken Guild has upped the ante in the council’s battle against problem gambling, challenging Wetherspoon’s to withdraw its application for an extra gaming machine.
An application had been made by the pub chain to install a fourth gaming machine at its Capitol bar on Seagate.
But the administration leader strongly disputed the need for a fourth machine, saying that “when drinking and gambling, inhibitions are lost and people are more at risk of problem gambling.”
His comments came after the policy and resources committee recently called on the Government to review the Gambling Act 2005.
They also agreed at that meeting that council-owned properties should not be leased for the purposes of betting, and that publicly accessible and staff council computers should block betting websites.
Mr Guild said: “This premises already has three gaming machines and now wishes to have a fourth. I would not be at all happy with that but I don’t think we have the power to do anything about it. Your policy is about protecting children and other vulnerable people from being exploited by gambling.
“I would suggest that someone who has had a few becomes a vulnerable person and will lose their instinct and emotions when operating that machine.
“I ask you to withdraw this application or, if not, that you do not install the machine,” he added.
However, it appears that JD Wetherspoon is unlikely to fold following the comments, which were made at a meeting of the city’s licensing board on Thursday.
Eddie Gershon, a spokesman for JD Wetherspoon, said: “Our management staff would not allow people to drink more than they should do.
“We understand the concerns of the council leader and obviously it is a view that is heartfelt.
“However, we are set to put a fourth machine in the pub and we do not believe that any problems will arise as a result of that.”