UK Government Moves To Give Councils Greater Powers Over Betting Shops

The UK government has announced plans to give local councils greater powers to prevent new betting shops from opening as part of a wider package of measures aimed at reshaping Britain’s high streets.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed that the government intends to scrap the “aim to permit” principle, which currently limits the circumstances in which councils can reject gambling premises licence applications.

The rule was introduced under the Gambling Act 2005 and requires licensing authorities to approach gambling premises applications with the objective of permitting them, provided they are consistent with the Act, Gambling Commission guidance and the authority’s own licensing policy.

Removing the provision would give councils greater discretion over applications from betting operators and 24-hour adult gaming centres.

Burnham said the changes formed part of an attempt to address the long-term decline of town centres and give local communities more influence over the types of businesses operating on their high streets.

“For many people, the high streets they grew up with have been hollowed out and become unrecognisable over decades of decline,” Burnham said.

“The rise of vape shops, betting shops and rogue operators have replaced the shops, services and community spaces that people are crying out for.”

Betting Industry Rejects Suggestion Of Unchecked Expansion

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) welcomed greater action against illegal businesses but challenged the government’s characterisation of the regulated betting sector.

The industry body said betting shop numbers have fallen by more than a third since 2019, with approximately 3,000 premises closing and more than 15,000 jobs being lost during that period. Betfred recently announced plans to close a further 132 shops.

A BGC spokesperson said: “We support tough action against criminal operators and agree local people should have a proper say over their high streets. But the suggestion that betting shops are spreading unchecked is simply wrong. Betting shop numbers have fallen by over a third since 2019. Around 3,000 shops have closed and over 15,000 jobs have already been lost.

“It's wrong to lump highly regulated, licensed betting shops together with rogue or criminal businesses. Betting shops still support 37,500 jobs, bring vital footfall to neighbouring businesses and, for many customers, are valued community hubs.

“The real threat to Britain’s hard-pressed high streets is more empty units and fewer local jobs, not businesses rooted in the communities they serve.”

One unnamed industry source described the government’s decision to refer to betting shops alongside rogue businesses as “insulting”.

“This is supposed to be a government for every postcode but they’ve just attacked thousands of people who work hard every single day in a bookies – a legal, licensed and regulated trade,” the source said.

Burnham Defends Greater Local Control

Burnham previously backed reform of the “aim to permit” principle while serving as Mayor of Greater Manchester, joining a coalition of councils which wrote to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy last year calling for changes.

In a social media post following the latest announcement, the prime minister said: “Vape shops. Betting shops. Dodgy businesses. If you look at your high street these days and think ‘who asked for this?’, you’re not alone. I’m doing something about it.

“We’re giving local people and councils more control over what opens, and tougher powers to crack down on businesses that aren’t good for our communities. For too long, Westminster has stood by while our high streets declined. That ends now.”

The wider government package will also require new adult gaming centres in England to obtain planning permission. The changes are expected to come into effect from the beginning of next year.

Other measures include tougher planning requirements for vape shops and expanded powers to close premises connected with illegal activity, although those proposals sit separately from the changes affecting licensed gambling businesses.

Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said there was frustration among some communities about gambling and vaping premises appearing near schools, while Burnham argued that councils should have greater influence over the composition of their town centres.

The Local Government Association welcomed the broader move towards greater local control, with chairman Councillor Eamonn O’Brien saying it was positive that councils and communities would receive a greater say over the shops and services operating on their high streets.

The BGC, however, maintained that licensed betting shops should be distinguished from illegal or unregulated operators, pointing to the sector’s declining retail estate, employment contribution and role in generating footfall for neighbouring businesses.