Starmer urged to scrap ‘outdated’ law limiting councils’ power over new gambling shops

Keir Starmer is facing renewed pressure to abolish an “outdated” legal rule that campaigners say prevents communities from blocking new betting shops and 24‑hour slot‑machine venues on their high streets.

Nearly 300 politicians and campaigners have written to the prime minister calling for the removal of the “aim to permit” provision — a requirement introduced under Tony Blair’s 2005 gambling reforms that obliges licensing authorities to lean towards approving applications for new gambling premises.

Labour MP Dawn Butler, who coordinated the letter, said the rule had left councils “powerless” to refuse licences even when residents object. “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,” she said.

The government pledged last year to strengthen local powers by allowing councils to use “cumulative impact assessments” to consider the existing concentration of gambling venues in an area. The move followed reports of rapid growth in 24‑hour slot‑machine shops, particularly in economically deprived communities taking advantage of permissive planning and licensing rules.

But signatories to the letter — including Butler, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, 46 MPs, six peers and more than 200 councillors — said the proposed reforms do not go far enough. They argue that abolishing the aim‑to‑permit rule is essential to restoring meaningful local control.

“This call for change is not about banning the occasional bet,” they wrote. “It is about protecting our high streets, supporting vulnerable residents and ensuring that councils have the tools to act in the interests of their communities.”

The rule has been a core feature of Britain’s gambling framework since the Gambling Act came fully into force in 2007. Before then, operators had to demonstrate unmet local demand before opening a betting shop or adult gaming centre.

Butler has also submitted a 10‑minute rule bill to highlight the issue in parliament. While such bills rarely become law, they are often used to test political appetite for future legislation.

Campaigners pointed to evidence that more than a million people in Britain experience gambling‑related harm, with up to one in five affected directly or indirectly through financial distress, pressure on public services and, in the most severe cases, suicide.

Industry representatives defended the sector’s economic contribution. The Betting & Gaming Council said betting shops support 46,000 jobs, generate nearly £1bn in annual tax revenue and contribute £60m in business rates. It also cited research showing that most betting shop customers visit other local businesses, boosting high street trade. The number of betting shops has fallen by 29% since 2019, the group added.

A spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said the government had already committed to giving councils “unprecedented new powers” to limit gambling outlets and would introduce further assessments to strengthen local oversight, particularly in areas vulnerable to gambling harm.

“We are working across government and with councils to halt the decline that people are seeing in their towns and high streets so people feel proud of the area they call home,” the spokesperson said.