Local Leaders in the UK Push for Power over Gambling Venues

An estimated 25 million people in the UK participate in gambling activities. While some prefer betting shops or slots, others engage in online gambling and most consumers do so responsibly.

However, industry stakeholders, including gambling treatment organizations and charities, have urged for an overhaul of the country’s gambling regulations to ensure that the laws address iGaming challenges. As it turns out, mayors and councils are also asking for changes amid the growing number of betting shops on high streets.

Slots Raise Concerns Among Mayors and Councils

As announced by ITV News, several dozen councils and mayors have recently raised concerns about the increasing number of betting shops and slot machine venues on high streets, encouraging the current government to give them powers to intervene. The popular slot machines can be found in betting shops, casinos, adult gaming centers and bingo halls across the country.

Unlike other countries across Europe where there is a high limit on the maximum stake, in the UK, the maximum stake per spin is capped at £2. Still, this doesn’t stop the slots from capturing the attention of many players, some of whom may even experience at-risk or problem gambling. Currently, the number of slot machines across the country is estimated just above 200,000.

Some High Street Operators Target Deprived Areas “In a Bid to Maximize Profits”

The letter was signed by 36 councils and two mayors, who jointly represent more than 12 million people. In the letter, they recognized that the existing gambling regulations are “desperately out of date,” encouraging the government to take swift action.

Concerningly, the letter reveals that some high-street operators may be targeting deprived areas as a way to increase their profits. “Communities like Brent are experiencing a groundswell of land-based gambling operators, spreading along our high streets and seemingly targeting areas of higher deprivation in a bid to maximize profits,” the councils and mayors wrote in their letter.

“But, despite this shared opposition among residents, police and politicians, councils have found themselves effectively powerless to intervene,“

reads the letter signed by 36 councils and two mayors

Equally as concerning, the councils and mayors said they lack the power to intervene in such cases. They explained that while some gambling venues face pushbacks by politicians, police and even residents, this lack of power prevents meaningful change.

The latest development comes after late last month, the country’s gambling regulator, the Gambling Commission, announced an overhaul of the rules on promotions. The changes seek to combat problem gambling while boosting transparency and decreasing complexity. The changes to the promotional rules are expected to come into effect from mid-December this year.