It is a trend which has alarmed critics of the industry and forced companies to agree from April to a strict code of practice limiting the number of terminals in each betting shop - and more importantly the size of payouts.
"The government cannot tell universities and other higher education institutions who they can and cannot invite, but universities do have to follow very strict codes of practice, " she added.
They administer their own admissions - but within the strict requirements of the national code of practice, and they will not be able to select pupils on ability.