Will High Street gambling feel wrath of regulation?
Summary
The Commons is coalescing around a push to tighten rules on high street gambling, led by Labour MP Dawn Butler. Central to the campaign is repealing the “Aim-to-Permit” element of the Gambling Act 2005 so local councils can regain stronger planning and licensing control over betting shops and slot venues. Concerns include the concentration of venues in less affluent areas, potential weakening of the 80/20 machines rule, and the wider political backdrop of council elections that could reshape outcomes for the sector.
Industry figures and some politicians push back, arguing licensed betting shops are in decline rather than proliferating. Mary Glindon (writing for the Betting and Gaming Council) highlighted a drop from 8,304 betting shops in 2019 to 5,825 in March 2025 — roughly a 30% fall — and warned of more closures and job losses after recent tax rises. Nigel Farage has also criticised tax and regulation, saying many punters now use offshore operators because of competitiveness issues in the UK.
Author style: Punchy — the piece flags an urgent policy tussle that could directly affect high streets, operators and local communities, and is well worth reading in full if you work in or follow the sector.
Key Points
- Dawn Butler is leading a Commons campaign to return planning and licensing power to local councils by repealing the Aim-to-Permit provision of the Gambling Act 2005.
- Campaigners say gambling venues cluster in less affluent areas and undermine other high street businesses by offering free promotions to attract customers.
- There is resistance to any loosening of the 80/20 rule for gaming machines; MPs fear operators can circumvent safeguards.
- Industry voices counter that licensed betting shops have been falling — from 8,304 in 2019 to 5,825 in March 2025 — causing job losses and high street decline.
- Elections and recent tax increases create political and commercial pressure: local votes this year may determine how far regulation tightens.
Context and Relevance
This is a timely story for anyone in retail betting, local government, town-centre regeneration or gambling regulation. It sits at the intersection of public policy, social equity and commercial viability: empowering councils would give communities more control over venue locations, while tighter rules could accelerate closures and job losses in an already contracting retail estate.
The article also connects to broader trends: migration of retail customers to remote and offshore operators, the ongoing debate over gambling harm prevention, and how fiscal measures (like tax rises) compound market pressures. For stakeholders, the local elections and any legislative changes this year are the key events to watch.
Why should I read this?
Short version: if you care about the future of betting shops, high street health or gambling regulation, this matters. Councils could soon have more clout to stop new venues; operators face tax and policy headwinds; and the result will shape jobs, town-centre mixes and where people place bets. It’s a quick, useful read that saves you sifting through lots of parliamentary noise.
Source
Source: https://igamingexpert.com/regions/europe/high-street-gambling-laws/