Madam, - Barry O'Halloran's report on Irish bookmakers' plans to introduce fixed odds betting terminals in their betting shops contained the interesting information that the British bookmaking chain Ladbrokes in its annual report reported an annual profit of approximately €40,000 per terminal (The Irish Times, December 2nd).
Also in the report is the memorable quotation from the owner of an Irish firm of bookmakers that "bookmakers can lose on fixed odds betting terminals".
I hope the Government fights this indecent proposal and sees it for what it is - a blatant attempt to increase profits for bookmakers by exposing those who are already vulnerable to a gambling habit to an even greater addiction. - Yours, etc,
TONY TAAFFE, Main Street, Finglas, Dublin 11.