Local communities could block betting shops under new UK initiative
The government has announced plans to give communities more powers over their local high streets.
UK.- Betting shops and gaming venues are among the businesses that could be affected by a new government initiative focusing on local high streets. Announced today, the Pride in Place programme is said to include plans to give communities powers to block the opening of unwanted businesses, including gambling venues, vape stores and so-called fake barbers.
The move may appease local councils, some of which have been calling for more power to reject applications from gambling operators. A coalition of 38 local councils wrote to Lisa Nandy, secretary of state at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, to propose reforms to the 2005 Gambling Act, which they say often leaves them with no option but to approve applications.
It’s not clear whether or how the government plans any change in legislation under the new programme, nor under what circumstances communities would be able to block applications. Nevertheless, the move signals a shift in how high streets are shaped, with councils also being granted authority to repurpose derelict buildings and boarded-up shops through Community Right to Buy and compulsory purchase powers.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is backing the plan with a “record investment” for more than 330 communities.
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed, emphasised the urgency of the reforms: “When people step out of their front doors, they know their communities are struggling. They see shuttered pubs, fading high streets and their local areas in decline.
“Yes, communities have been stretched, but they haven’t given up. They’re working hard to make things better, and we’re backing them. The government is putting power into their hands so local people decide how best to restore pride in their neighbourhoods, not us in Westminster. That’s what real patriotism looks like: building up our communities and choosing renewal over division.”
Reed said the programme aims to address deep-rooted deprivation and regional inequality. Some councils have highlighted the concentration of betting shops in low-income areas. However, despite common perception, the number of betting shops in Britain has actually declined over the past decade, from a peak of 9,100 shops in 2013 to 5,931 in March 2024,
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has defended bookmakers’ role, stating that betting shops “are far more than just places to have a flutter: they are community hubs, economic drivers, and a vital part of the high street’s future”.
“Betting shops are an integral part of Britain’s high streets, supporting local communities, generating vital tax revenues, and helping to sustain much-loved national sports,” it said.
“Our members contribute £6.8 billion to the economy every year, generating £4 billion in tax while supporting 109,000 jobs across the UK. Crucially, betting shops themselves employ 46,000 hardworking people, many of whom live locally, ensuring that these businesses remain at the heart of the communities they serve.
“The industry’s support extends well beyond the shop floor. Horseracing benefits to the tune of £350 million annually, while the English Football League and its clubs receive £40 million.”
The lobby group stressed its members strict age-verification measures under the ‘Think 25’ policy, as demonstrated by compliance audits.
It added: “Betting shops also deliver for the Treasury and local councils, paying £1 billion a year in tax and a further £60 million in business rates.
“That is money which goes directly into public services and into supporting local economies. Importantly, a study by ESA Retail found that 89% of betting shop customers combine their visit to the bookies with trips to other local businesses, making betting shops a vital driver of footfall and growth on hard-pressed high streets.
“But the pressures on the sector are real. Since 2019 more than 2,400 shops have closed their doors, leaving just 5,870 in operation today. That underlines the challenges already faced by the industry, and why it is so important that government policy supports these businesses, their employees, and the communities who rely on them.We are proud of the role our members play, not only as employers and taxpayers, but as responsible operators who contribute to the cultural and sporting fabric of the nation.”
