With Westminster witnessing increasingly intensified debate over the density of gambling venues on the British high street, a recent power shift in Romania could be a sign of the times for retail regulation.
Romania’s government recently passed an emergency decree that will enable municipalities in the country to restrict or ban gaming centres and betting shops – powers that replicate those that have been called for by local councils across UK high streets.
Under the new rules, which were confirmed at the end of last month, over 200 localities will have greater power over the prominence of the gambling industry, adding an extra layer of licensing that previously sat solely at a national level.
So far, at least four cities have confirmed plans to ban gambling. These include Brăila, Ploiesti, Slatina and Iasi.
Mario de Mezzo, Mayor of Slatina, said at the time of the ordinance’s passage: “Slatina will be the first city free of gambling dens.
“When the Ordinance adopted last night is published in the Official Gazette, in the first meeting of the Local Council, I will propose the elimination of all gambling halls and gambling dens from the municipality of Slatina. No gambling den will operate in the municipality of Slatina anymore. Not one.”
A way forward for the UK?
The powers handed to local councils in Romania will no doubt be of great interest to their counterparts in the UK.
Over the last year, councils across the UK have expressed their displeasure with the ‘Aim to Permit’ rule laid out in the Gambling Act 2005, which directs councils to approve gambling premises licences.
Opponents of the mandate argue that operators are targeting the most vulnerable areas of the country with the placement of new adult gaming centres (AGCs) and betting shops on the UK high street.
Keith Cuncliffe, Deputy leader of Wigan Council, said during a recent council meeting: “More than 50% of applications for adult gaming centres are in the most deprived areas in the country. It’s people in more deprived areas trying to improve their income, to win money.
“Research says that people in deprived areas are more than twice as likely to become addicted to gambling. What we need is to give local authorities much more control over these facilities.”
Cuncliffe argued for more weight to be placed on a cumulative impact assessment, as well as greater pressure to be put on applicants to demonstrate there is a need and demand for new venues.
His calls echo those of high-profile politicians such as the Labour MP Dawn Butler, who has spearheaded the Take Back Control of Our High Streets campaign, and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who added his name to a letter sent to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport demanding greater autonomy for local councils.
Advocates for change will see the reform in Romania as an example of how new legislation can help to provide the control desired by local councils in the UK.
Greater reform in Romania
Alongside the emergency measures, Romania’s decision makers are considering wider reforms related to the gambling industry.
These include increasing the gambling age to 21, limiting online gambling ads to between 6am and midnight and capping losses to 10% of declared income.
Advocates for raising the gambling age argue that doing so would act as the ‘simplest measure to restrict gambling at the most fragile age’ and provide young adults a ‘window of emotional and financial maturation’.
