A staggering £34.6 million was gambled on high-stake gaming machines in Keighley in the space of just one year, new figures reveal.

A report by the Fairer Gambling organisation shows there are 33 so-called Fixed Odds Betting Terminals in nine betting shops in the Keighley constituency. The total profit made by these shops during the 2011/12 financial year was £1,081,054.

Fairer Gambling – which gleaned the figures from analysis of industry data – said that across Bradford district, £392 million was gambled.

Keighley MP Kris Hopkins said it was up to individuals how they spend their own money, but added: “They should take responsibility for making sure basics are put on their families’ tables first before feeding gaming machines.”

MP Philip Davies, whose Shipley constituency includes Denholme and Cullingworth, said: “It’s up to people to do with their money as they see fit, and the rate of return from these machines is higher than any other form of gambling.

“No one wants to see people getting addicted, but people can sit in front of their computer 24 hours, seven days a week and gamble. I’d say it’s better for them to be in a betting shop in a controlled environment where staff are trained to keep an eye for tell-tale signs.”