MPs and Councillors Urge Government to Scrap Outdated Gambling Licensing Rule
Hundreds of UK politicians, local councillors and campaigners have written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calling for the removal of the so-called “aim to permit” requirement from the Gambling Act 2005, a core rule that campaigners say restricts local authorities’ ability to refuse licences for new betting shops, casinos and 24-hour slot-machine venues.
The cross-party appeal, coordinated by Labour MP Dawn Butler, was signed by nearly 300 signatories, including 46 MPs, six members of the House of Lords, and over 200 councillors. The letter argues that the current legal duty placed on licensing authorities, which requires councils and the UK Gambling Commission to favour approval of gambling premises licences if minimum criteria are met, effectively ties the hands of local communities, even where there is strong opposition.
Critics say the rule, introduced under Tony Blair’s Labour government as part of the 2005 Gambling Act, has contributed to a proliferation of gambling venues on high streets, particularly in economically deprived areas, with limited ability for councils to block them based on social impact concerns.
“Our high streets are being hollowed out by a surge of betting shops and 24/7 slot-machine venues, while local people are left powerless,” said Butler, emphasising that the removal of the rule is not about banning gambling outright, but about giving communities the tools to protect themselves from harmful clustering.
The campaigners also note the government’s previous pledge, made last year, to allow councils to use “cumulative impact assessments,” a tool that would let local authorities assess how many gambling outlets already exist in an area when considering new licence applications. However, signatories say this measure does not go far enough because the overarching aim to permit obligation remains in force.
The move highlights growing concern among policymakers about the social harms associated with gambling, particularly the impacts of venue clustering in vulnerable communities. Commentators have previously pointed to data suggesting that a significant number of adult gaming centres are located in areas ranked among the most deprived, intensifying calls for reform to empower councils.
Industry responses, however, stress the economic contribution of betting shops, noting that many support local jobs and generate tax revenue, and that the number of such premises has already fallen significantly in recent years. The Betting & Gaming Council has argued that betting shops still form an integral part of many high streets and contribute positively to the local economy.
At this stage, Downing Street has not issued a formal response to the letter, and the government’s position on fully abolishing the aim to permit requirement remains unconfirmed. Campaigners, however, say the present moment offers an opportunity for a broader review of gambling licensing policy and local empowerment.
