In the House of Commons, ministers appear unified in their view that more restrictions should be applied to UK gambling, with the industry’s legislative and policy resolutions viewed as unfinished business.
An opening week of criticism concluded with a Commons debate, which saw backbenchers debate high-street gambling reforms, focusing in particular on the proliferation of betting shops, arcades and other venues.
At the close of play, and following a hearing on Magnitsky-style sanctions against human-rights abuses, ministerial speeches branded UK gambling in terms similar to those used to describe “rogue nations” referenced in the previous session.
Brent MP Dawn Butler led proceedings by backing a “unified campaign” to repeal the Aim-to-Permit rule of the Gambling Act 2005, enabling UK councils to regain local planning and licensing powers over gambling venues.
“It’s not right. I come with thousands of written complaints from my constituents who want action on the number of gambling venues. But it’s still not enough because of the Aim-to-Permit law,” Butler said.
Butler leads the Take Back Control of Our High Streets campaign for gambling reform, which she initiated last summer by travelling the country to see what “gambling looks like”.
Her investigation revealed a clear disparity between the number of gambling venues in deprived towns compared with the wealthiest boroughs in the UK.
No fit for Aim to Permit
The MP questioned why the aim-to-permit rule appeared applicable in affluent councils but could not be applied in deprived areas, noting that “a resident in Hampstead proudly said to me that they had campaigned to stop a McDonald’s opening on the high street”.
Butler views this as evidence of a strategy by gambling operators to target the poorest consumers in society, with negative repercussions for local councils attempting to improve their economic prospects. Adult Gaming Centres are a particular political target.
“Let’s be clear, they don’t help high-streets. They set up knowing other shops don’t want to be there, because these establishments entice people with free food and drink, teas and coffee. There is no point in having a coffee shop when it’s being given away for free next door.”
As part of her campaign, Butler has accompanied MPs on visits to gambling venues, during which she and other ministers questioned why operators are allowed to reserve seats on gaming machines so customers can continue playing.
Does 80/20 stand-up?
Opening her address to the floor, Butler was questioned on the 80/20 rule, which requires 80% of machines to be lower-stake — a measure currently under extended consultation and potentially subject to repeal for UK casinos, depending on venue size, as part of amendments arising from the Gambling Review.
She responded without hesitation, stating that “that rule must not be changed”, while accusing betting shops of circumventing existing regulations. “They have these iPads that are classified as lower-stake machines, and they don’t work. That’s how they get away with having more B3 machines… the more addictive ones. That rule cannot be liberalised; they know how to work around it.”
The minister did not specify the area or betting shop where she had witnessed these discrepancies, but branded the business model “shocking”, adding: “The national average for low-risk gamblers is 13.4%, but in Brent it is 17.1%, and high-risk gamblers are at 6.2%. They know which communities to target.”
Instant Changes
Working with wider gambling reform groups, Butler called on the Labour government to intervene directly by advancing the following resolutions on high-street gambling:
- Grant greater licensing powers: “Councils should be given cumulative impact powers immediately.”
- Embed public health in licensing: “Directors of public health in local communities must be formally involved in the gambling licensing process, as they are for alcohol.”
- Review existing licences: All current premises licences should be reviewed, particularly those relating to AGCs operating under bingo licences. Butler argued that “too many bingo halls are clearly breaking the rules by operating as arcade-style machine venues”.
- Increase licence fees: Caps on licence fees for gambling venues should be significantly raised above the standard £1,000, with fees reviewed on a continual basis.
- Clarify enforcement duties: The UK Gambling Commission should provide clarity on where local enforcement responsibilities sit for gambling venues, with Butler warning that “enforcement is too opaque at the moment for councils”.
Butler concluded her statement by reading testimony from gambling-harm and suicide victims Jackie Oldham and Jack Ritchie, who had wagered in high-street gambling venues, with harms clearly visible to staff who were acutely aware of the victims’ gambling behaviours.
Ministers followed Butler’s speech by praising her “frontline campaign” on the issue, acknowledging that the density of gambling venues and the regulatory framework governing UK high streets will have to be addressed in 2026.
Yesterday’s deliberations place UK gambling on alert once again, signalling that further regulatory change is firmly back on the political agenda as reformists demand significant resolutions.