Councils will be handed greater powers to prevent new bookmakers and gambling venues from opening on high streets under plans announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
The Government is moving to scrap the controversial “aim to permit” principle contained in the Gambling Act 2005, which has long restricted the ability of local authorities to refuse applications for new gambling premises.
The changes form part of a wider package aimed at giving communities more control over the future of their high streets, including tougher rules covering betting shops, adult gaming centres and vape shops.
Under the existing system, licensing authorities have been required to “aim to permit” gambling premises where applications meet a series of statutory requirements. Councils and campaigners have argued that the provision has made it extremely difficult for communities to resist concentrations of betting shops and gaming centres.
The issue has generated growing concern across Parliament and local government. Earlier this year, nearly 300 politicians and campaigners backed calls for the rule to be abolished, while a number of councils have argued that they need stronger powers to consider the cumulative impact of gambling premises on local communities.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham had himself called for the “aim to permit” rule to be abolished while serving as Mayor of Greater Manchester. His Government is now proposing to remove it altogether.
The wider reforms will also require adult gaming centres to secure planning permission, while new vape shops will face tighter planning controls, including measures designed to prevent them opening close to schools. The Government says the changes could be introduced from early 2027 following consultation.
Labour MP Alex Ballinger, co-chair of the Gambling Reform APPG, welcomed the announcement.
Writing on X, Ballinger said:
“The Government has announced new plans to crack down on bookmakers on our high streets. Andy Burnham has withdrawn the aim to permit rule, so in England any new bookmaker needs planning permission.
“As co-chair of the Gambling Reform APPG, I welcome these new plans.”
Ballinger has previously raised gambling reform in Parliament. During a Commons debate in January, the Halesowen MP backed calls to end “aim to permit” and raised concerns about rules governing higher-stake gaming machines.
The Government hopes the reforms will help councils shape healthier and more diverse high streets rather than feeling powerless when faced with concentrations of gambling, gaming and vaping businesses.
The package is part of Burnham’s broader attempt to revive town centres and return more decision-making power to local communities.
For Labour, the changes represent a significant shift in the balance of power: away from a presumption in favour of new gambling premises and towards giving councils and communities a greater say over what opens on their high streets.
Further details are available from the BBC.
