THE Legislative Council's Community and New Territories Affairs Panel yesterday expressed concern about the growth in size of off-course betting centres.

Panel convenor Mrs Peggy Lam Pei Yu-dja said after yesterday's meeting that some members felt the Government was playing with figures as it said the number of off-course betting centres was kept below the ceiling of 134 although the actual size of the centres was growing.

The Government told the panel that there was a need for some large betting centres to prevent punters from spilling into the streets, obstructing traffic or causing some other problems.