Cllr Shantanu Rajawat, Labour Leader of Hounslow Council, has joined forces with 35 other local leaders, calling on government to make urgent reforms to our gambling laws. Current gambling laws are failing to protect communities from harm.
In an open letter to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, the coalition of councils, representing over 12 million people across the UK, has outlined six key demands to reform the Gambling Act 2005. The letter, led by Brent Council and endorsed by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Gambling Reform, highlights the devastating social and financial impact that gambling can have on local communities and high streets.
“This isn’t about cracking down on vice. It’s about protecting vulnerable people. Gambling doesn’t just harm individuals; it contributes to a growing crisis affecting families, public health, and our local economies,” said Cllr Rajawat.
“Here in Hounslow, we have seen firsthand how gambling venues are disproportionately targeting our most at-risk residents, exacerbating debt, mental health struggles, and crime.”
The Six Point Plan for Change calls for:
- Reforming the ‘Aim to Permit’ policy: to grant councils the power to reject gambling license applications when they pose risks to community welfare;
- A new categorisation of gambling premises: ensuring venues like bingo halls and adult gaming centres cannot bypass existing caps by splitting premises;
- Local debt considerations in planning applications: giving councils greater say in protecting high streets from saturation by gambling establishments.
- Greater oversight of the new statutory levy on gambling operators: with funding devolved to local health authorities for research, education, and treatment.
- A comprehensive ban on gambling advertising: particularly to safeguard children and young people.
- An end to proposals that would expand Adult Gaming Centres: in line with external recommendations on harmful B3 machines.
Already, the campaign received news that the Government has agreed to Point 6 of the plan:
The Government has now shelved plans made under the last government to liberalise the ‘80/20’ rule in adult gaming centres. This would have meant an even greater proliferation of addictive and dangerous B3 slot machines in high streets up and down the country.
Cllr Rajawat welcomed the announcement but urged Government to go further:
“The Government must empower councils to protect our communities. We need the ability to refuse licenses where there is clear evidence of harm. The Prime Minister has spoken about giving local leaders more control over their areas – this is exactly the kind of reform that would make a big difference here.”
The letter has been backed by leading figures, including the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, and campaign groups such as Clean Up Gambling and the Coalition to End Gambling Ads.
“This is not about banning gambling outright,” Cllr Rajawat added. “It’s about making sure communities have the tools to create safer, healthier environments for everyone.”
The full letter can be accessed at https://www.brent.gov.uk/-/media/files/news-documents/brent-council-open-letter-on-gambling-harms.pdf