Prime Minister Pledges Greater Local Control Over Gambling Shops

The Institute of Licensing has reported that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to give local councils stronger powers to regulate the number and location of gambling premises on UK high streets—a move that could significantly reshape the landscape for high street gaming and adult entertainment centres.

Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions, Labour MP Dawn Butler raised the issue of “gambling clustering” in deprived communities, highlighting concerns about the “aim to permit” clause in the 2005 Gambling Act, which currently limits the ability of local authorities to refuse new licence applications. In response, Starmer confirmed that the government is exploring the introduction of cumulative impact assessments—similar to those used for alcohol licensing—to give councils the legal tools they need to limit the concentration of gambling shops.

“What [the Prime Minister] said is really significant,” commented one local authority officer. “It opens the door to reversing years of frustration where local councils have had very limited ability to say no—even when their communities want them to.”

The news follows mounting pressure from local government leaders. Earlier this year, more than 30 councils—led by Brent Council and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham—wrote to the government urging urgent reform of gambling premises licensing. Their demands included the right to refuse new betting shops based on local household debt levels, stronger controls on advertising, and more flexibility to consider the cumulative impact of multiple venues in close proximity.

The Prime Minister’s remarks come amid growing tension between national regulatory objectives and local enforcement realities. As Tim Miller, Executive Director of the UK Gambling Commission, recently noted, fewer than half of local authorities currently complete mandatory inspections of licensed gambling premises—despite collecting fees for that purpose. Miller warned that reform must not burden already stretched council teams or overlook the need for sustainable enforcement.

At the same time, industry bodies and operators are expected to scrutinise how far these proposed changes might go. The removal or weakening of the “aim to permit” requirement could shift the balance of power decisively toward local councils—raising concerns about the consistency and objectivity of licensing decisions across the country.

While no official policy has been announced yet, the Prime Minister’s pledge signals a potential rebalancing of regulatory power in favour of local decision-makers. For operators of AGCs, betting shops, and gaming venues, the weeks ahead may prove critical in shaping the future of Britain’s high street gambling environment.

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11 September 2025

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