Betfred’s managing director has urged employees to lobby their MP to oppose the expected cut to the £100 stake punters can wager every 20 seconds on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs), a leaked email has revealed.

Fixed-odd betting machines have been called the “crack-cocaine” of gambling. They allow gamblers to bet with high stakes and critics say they are highly addictive and a “social blight”.

It is believed Treasury-backed plans to impose a £2 maximum stake are being considered, following a review, with a decision understood to be imminent.

“This would have a significant impact on the viability of the number of our shops and therefore employment in our businesses – it is not too late to warn your MP of the unintended consequences of such a drastic cut,” reads the email sent to Betfred employees from Mark Stebbings, the managing director.

“Simply fill in the postcode of where you live, the system will identify who your local MP is, then fill in your contact details and press send – the letter is already written for you and it will be emailed to your MP.”