Burnham to scrap ‘aim to permit’ rule for betting shops amid closures

The UK government is preparing to scrap the “aim to permit” principle for betting shops and adult gaming centres (AGCs). This will give councils greater authority to decide whether new gambling premises can open.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced the change as part of a package of measures intended to tackle illegal businesses and give communities more control over their high streets.

Under Section 153 of the Gambling Act 2005, licensing authorities must currently aim to permit gambling premises when applications comply with the legislation, Gambling Commission guidance and the three licensing objectives.

Removing the principle would make it easier for councils to refuse applications in response to local concerns. The government said the changes would be subject to consultation before legislation is introduced.

Adult gaming centres to require planning approval

The reforms will also require adult gaming centres in England to obtain planning permission. These venues provide adults with access to fruit and slot machines and can operate for up to 24 hours a day.

Government figures indicate that there are around 1,450 AGCs across the UK. More than half of these are situated in the most deprived 20% of neighbourhoods.

New vape shops in England will similarly require planning permission. The definition of these retailers will also be tightened to prevent businesses presenting themselves as general convenience stores.

The government will also seek to double the maximum duration of closure orders from six months to one year. This is intended to give councils and police more time to investigate premises suspected of links to organised crime.

Burnham said the government was giving local communities “more control over what opens” and tougher powers to act against businesses considered harmful to their areas.

“For too long, Westminster has stood by while our high streets declined. That ends now.” – Andy Burnham.

BGC rejects betting shop comparison

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) supported greater local involvement but rejected the suggestion that betting shops were proliferating without sufficient oversight.

“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.”

A BGC spokesperson said betting shop numbers had fallen by more than a third since 2019, with approximately 3,000 premises closing and over 15,000 jobs lost.

The organisation added that licensed betting shops continue to support 37,500 jobs and bring customers to surrounding high-street businesses.

Compliance consultant Kirsty Caldwell also criticised the government’s decision to group licensed betting operators with businesses suspected of criminal activity. She noted that betting shops have operated on British high streets since the 1960s and are subject to extensive regulatory and consumer protection requirements.

Retail betting sector faces further closures

The announcement comes as retail bookmakers continue to reduce the size of their estates amid higher operating costs and gambling taxes.

Betfred recently announced plans to close 132 UK betting shops and cut more than 600 jobs from September. The operator cited increased employer National Insurance contributions, wage inflation, wider economic uncertainty and higher gambling duties.

Evoke closed approximately 200 William Hill shops in April, while Entain has also moved to reduce the size of its Ladbrokes estate in Ireland.

The proposed reforms are expected to come into force at the beginning of 2027 following consultation and the passage of the required legislation.